
lass k , 5^ S. 



Glass 
Book 



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fi-r One ILIimilled SiijuJes 1\'m\v\v. 



THE 

LIFE AND CHARACTER 

OF 

STEPHEN DECATUR ; 

LATE 

COMMODORE AMD POST^CAPTAIN 

IJT THE 

NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES, 



NA VI -COMMISSIONER 



INTERSPERSED V TH BRIEF A'OTICES OF THS ORIGTAT prt( 
GRESS, AND ACHIEVEMEJVTS --- TI.^ AMERICAN NAVY 




*OFR CHILDREN— THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OFOTTR COUNTRY, 
Toast of Comm. Decatur's Father. i:04. 



BY S? PUTNAM WALDO, ESQ. 

Con.pilGr of " Bobbins' Journal," author of the " Presideri'^ Tcur 
'■ Memoirs of Jackson," &c. &c. 



HARTFORD, . ;,. 
PRINTED BY P. B. GOODSELL, 



,8,2, 



V- -^jr3 



a 



q Y\iG 



STATE OF CONNECTICUT, ss. 
f « BE IT REMEMBEFIED, That on the eighth day^f 
^' Tanuary, in the forty-fifth year of the Independence ot the 
United States^of America, S. Putnam Waldo, of the said district, 
LThlpoJited in thisotnJethe tHle of a Book t - nght whereof 
ho claims as proprietor, in the words folloAvmg, to wit .— l ne 
I ife ad Character of Stephen Decatur ; late <^o°^JJ^«dore and 
Po t CaDt^in in the Navy of the United States, and iNavy Com- 
^::iS'r hiJ^rspersed With brief notices onX.o.^^^;^o,r.^ 
and achievements of the American Navy. 'Our Children, iney 
are tie Property of our Country.'-Toast of Comm Decatui^s 
Father 1804 By S. Putnam Waldo, Esq. Compiler of Rob- 
bit' J^lfrnJi," aLor of the " ^-f ^^^^^^ ^our, ' Memo^^^^^^ 
Tacl's-n " &c. &c. In conformity to the act of the Congn ss ot 
i T-^ f'^ qf^fp. entitled " An Act for the encouragement oi 

, in mentiouea." ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ p^,,,^,.^, „y ConneelicuU 

A true copy of R-ord, ^ajaine. and^.«*^^by me, 

! ' Clerk of the District of Connfchi:nf- 



TO THE READER. 

THE splendid and unsurpassed achievements of the Americau 
Navy in the second war between the Republic and the British 
Empire, drew forth the undivided applause of Americans, and 
excited the deepest solicitude of Englishmen. 

The author added his feeble note to the harmonious concord of 
approbation, and rapture, produced by our naval triumphs. 
Having for the past year, directed his researches to the earlier 
periods of our naval power, and in succession to this period, he 
had gathered materials for a " bird's eye view" of the Navy, 
and more copious ones for the Biography of STEPHEN DECA- 
TUR. The work was commenced some time previous to the 
disastrous event which terminated the brilliant career of that ua- 
surpassed Naval Tactician, and gallant Ocean Warriour. 

As he commenced his naval life with the commencement of the 
Navy, it became necessary to blend with the memoir, the most 
signal events of the naval warfare with the French Republic, al- 
though he then acted in a minor station. 

In the expeditions to the Mediterranean, and the great achieve- 
ments in that renowned sea, in the administration of Mr. Jef- 
FERSoiv, Decatur was constantly in the van of our squadrons ; 
and gallantly led in almost every daring and glorious achieve- 
ment. It therefore became necessary to be somewhat minute in 
describing them. The materials from which his deedsand these 
achievements are detailed, are chiefly derived from memoranda, 



Vi- T0 THE READER. 

gathered by the writer for some years past, from the officers of 
the American SquadroH, with some of whom, he has enjoyed the 
houour, the pleasure, and the instruction of some acquaintance. 
Of the authenticity of their modest, yet precise communications, 
not a moments doubt can be entertained. As no quotations are 
made from any publications extant, no references are made to 
them. ' 

The facts and incidents of Commodore Decatur's more recent 
life, were derived from personal intercourse with gentlemen of 
the Navy — communications from obliging correspondents, and 
those invaluable publications "Niles' Weekly Register" 
and the "Analectic Magazine," to which every American 
reader, and writer, are so essentially indebted, as repositories of 
the most important and interesting facts. 

The writer is sensible that the great leading events of Deca- 
tur's Life, and of^the American Navy, are familiar with many 
readers ; but if by blending with them incidents not generally 
known, he has rendered new things familiar, and by his manner 
of detail he has rendered familiar things new, he will have ac- 
complished the object of this volume. 

The volume is offered to the reader, not ^^ with frigid indiffer- 
tnce'*'' as to commendation or censure ; and if the same indul- 
gence is extended to this, as to the other hastj. production of the 
writer, his gratification will be augmented. 

THE AUTHOR. 

Hartford, January 8, 1821. 



TO THE 

SECRETARY, COMMISSIONERS, OFFICERS, 
AND SEAMEN, 

OF THE 

NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. 

AeCOMPLlSHED AND GALLANT MEN, 

PEtlMIT an American Citizen, as a small tribute of admiration 
for your naval science, nautical skill, and gallsnt achirvoraents, 
to oii'er this volume to you. He hopes to find a shield for its 
imperiections, in the frankness and candour of your characters. 
It would be the consummation of vanitv to suppose thfit any efforts 
of his, could tlevate the character of STEPHF.N DECATUR jj^' 
your estimation ; and it is a real consolation to reflect that it can- 
not be depressed by the manner in which it is portrayed. , The 
very brief and imperfect motives of the achievements of the 
American iNavy, as connected with the Life and Character of 
Commodore Decatur, will be excused from the extreme brevity 
withwliich they are alluded to. The splendour of your achieve- 
ments has given to the American Republic, an exalted rank 
through the Eastern World— the hopes of the Western Hemis- 
phere are fixed upon the American Navy. 
With undissembled respect, 

I am your admirin?" fellow-citizen. 

S. PUTNAM WALDO. 



CONTENTS. IX. 

command of a division of Gun-boats — Disparity of force be- 
tween his and the enemy's — He grapples and captures a Tri- 
politan boat — Is bearing for the squadron with his prize — Hears 
of the treacherous murder of his brother, Lieut. James Decatur 
— Returns to the engagement, and followed by Midshipman 
Macdonoui^h and nine seamen, boards the enemy's boat — 
Slays the Turk who slew his brother,and bears his second prize 
to the squadron — Other achievements of the Squadron, Bom- 
bards, and Gun-boats — Effects of the attack upon the Ba- 
shaw, and Tripolitans. 114 

CHAPTER X. 

Gapt. Decatur receives high commendations from Comm. Preble- 
-Grief at the death of Lieut. J. Decatur — Notice of him — 
Proposals of the Commodore to the Bashaw — Renewal of the 
attack upon Tripoli — Capt. Somers, Lieuts. Wadsworth and 
Israel enter into the squadron of the enemy's boats with the 
Ketch Intrepid as a fii^ ship — She explodes ! — Awful effects of 
the explosion — Reflection— Notice of Lieut. Wadsworth— Com. 
Preble superseded by Comm. Barron — Brief notice of Edward 
Preble. 130 

CHAPTER XI. 

Oapt. Decatur takes command of the frigate Constitittion — 
Perfection of discipline in the American Navy — He takes 
command of the frigate Congress— Peace with Tripoli — ■ 
Emancipation of Capt. Bainbrid^e, his officers and seamen — 
Meeting between them and Capt. Decatur,- American officers 
and seamen of the Squadron — Captain Decatur returns to A- 
merica in the frigate Congress — Visits his father. Commodore 
Decatur, at Philadelphia — He is appointed Superintendant of 
Gun-boats — Marrios Miss Wheeler, of Norfolk, (Vir.) — Su- 
persedes Comm. Barron,^ and takes command of the fri- 
gate Chesapeake — " Affair of the Chesapeake" — Captain 
Decatur takes command of the Southern Squadron as Com- 
modore. 145 

CHAPTER Xn. 

Commodore Decatur takes command of the Frigate United 
States'-lnterview with Capt. John Surnam Carderiy in time 
o/7?eace— jRiitigh Naval Officers on Ainerican station before 
the commencement of War — Declaration of VVar against G. 
Britain — fhimense dispa(l#y of naval force between America 
and Britain — Comm. Decatur puis to sea from New York, 
June 21st 1812 — Makes an extensive cruise and enters the 
port of Boston — Sails from thence 8th Qctober — Upon the 25th 
captures the frigate Macedojviaw — His official account of the 



X. CONTENTS. 

action — Length of, and incidents in the action — Meeting of 
Comm. Decatur and Capt. Garden — Dreadful slaughter 
in the Macedonian — Arrival of frigate United Slatps and that 
ship at New London — Reception of Flag at Washington — 
Arrival at New York — Reception there — Comm. Decatur's 
humanity. 163 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Honours conferred upon Comm. Decatur — He takes command 
of a Squadron — Immense disparity between Am» ric^^n and 
British Naval force oh the American coast- -List of both — 
Comm. Decatur sails from New York in Sqjidron — His snip 
struck by lightning — Sails for a British 74— R.etreats to New 
London — Prepares for defence — Rashes — British Squadron — 
Contrast between LJardi/ and Cockbarn — Stratag .ms of War 
— Passport for the bodies of Lawrence and T udiow — Conun. 
Decatur attempts to escape — Blue Lights — Steam Frigate — 
Challenge to the enemy — Impressed Sv'v-aen — Dignifird and 
humane oificers— Comm Dccacur and Comm. Macdonough. 190 

• CHAPTER XIV. 

Comm. Decatur dismantles the frigatss United Staffs and 
Macedonian — Achievements of the Essex, '"^apt. Porter — Ex- 
pedition to the Rast Indies resolved upon by (.lie Navy Depart- 
ment — The Squadro!) for that aervicfr — Comm. Decatur de- 
signated as commander of it — Sails in the frigate Presidnit, 
encouaJers and beats the frigate Eiidumion, and surrenders to 
the wh'ile ^Jritish Sqindron -His otiicial account of the action 
— Adililional particulars — ^Falsehoods of an Fnglish editor, 
and the consequences of them — i'he remainder of Comm. De- 
catur's Squadron, Hornet and -Peacock. 2-2i 

CHAPTER XV. 

Comm. Decatur returns from his fourth cruise — Reception — 
PiiACB ratified — Scenes ')f domestic felicity —Depredations 
of Barbary powers— 6y wh^^-m instigated — Squadron to chas- 
tise and humble them — Comm. Decatur appointed to command 
the fiist Mediterranean Squadron in U!r5--\'iclory oxer ,'9lge- 
rine Admiral — C'^nsternaiion of thn Dey — Indemnifies Ame- 
ricans and concludes a Tr-aly of Peace — Comtfi. J)ecatur de- 
*■ mands and receives indemnification from T/m^6' and Tripoli 
for British violations — Demands i^Hase of Chrisaan captives 
—Restores thr^mto Naples, and is honoured by th^ King — Sur- 
rend<'rs squadron to Comm. 'iainliridir.^ and roturns to Ame- 
rica — Comm. Balnbiidge— Respect paid to him. 242 



CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. 

[iWTTRODUCTORY.] 

Ufaval Heroes identified with Naval Glory — C<^mmercia1 entec- 
prise of Americans — British jeaiou'sy against \(n'^:rican Colo- 
nies — First dawning of Naval (>lorv amonirst Ainfrirans — Con- 
stellation of Ocean- VVarriours — SxfPrtEN Decatur. P. 13 

CH\FTER il. 

Decatur's birth — Birth-places — ])ifference between beginning 
and e/irfmg- great naniis — Brief notice, of Decatur's aiifcestora 
— His fatrier, one of the onuinal Post-Captains in .the AmJrican 
Navy — Dedication of his sons to the BepubUc — The inestima- 
ble value of the Legacy. 19 

CHAPTER HI. 

Extinction of Naval Power and Navtil Spirit at the close of the 
Pievolution — A .Seventy-^bur presented to Loins XVI. — Con- 
jecture concerjiing'her — Astonishing efiect^ of Navj^l Power 
— Encroachments upon American Commerce and humiliation 
af American .Seamen — Act of Congress 1794 for building six 
Frigates — Enthusiasm excited by it — Frigate Constitution — 
Achievements of I'ruxton, Litile, &.c. — Anecdotes of the elder 
Decatur and Tryoa — Midshipman Stephen Decatur. 28 

CHAPTER IV. ^ 

Stephen Decatur's early education — Peculiar advantages enjoyed 
by him — Enters the frigate United Statei? as Midsliipraan 1798 
— Promoted to Lieutenant — Cruist^s in the West !ndi«;s against 
the French — Enters the brig Norfolk a? 1st Lieutenant 1799 — 
Sails to the Spanish Main — Re-enteis frigate United States — 
Barl)arisrn of French and Spanish to American Seamr-n — Vic- 
tories of Truxtpn, Little, &c. — Humiliation of the French — 
Peace with France — Rewards for heroism. 41 

CHAPTER V. 

Progress of the American Navy — Reduction of it by Act of Con- 



Vlll. CONTENTS. 

gress — Araoant of it in 1801 — Lieut. Decatur's views asd de- 
termination — Depredations of Barbary states upon American 
Gommerce — Measures of the American government — Decatur 
enters into the first Mediterranean squadron as 1st Lieut, of 
the frigate Essex — his unremitting vigilance as a disciplinari- 
an — Address to his seamen. 50 

CHAPTER VI. 

Lieut. Decatur sails in the frigate Essex to the Mediterranean, 
1801, in the first American Squadron — Hazard of this enter- 
prize — Captain Sterrett's victory in the Schooner Enterprise — 
Impatience of Lieut. Decatur in a blockading ship — Hp re- 
turns to America in the Essex — National glory and National 
taxes — Lieut. Decatur joins the second Mediterranean Squad- 
ron as 1st Lieut, of the frigate New York — Sails to the Medi- 
terranean — Incessant attention to duty — Returns in the New 
York to America. 61 

CHAPTER VII. 

Lierrt. Decatur ordered to take command of the brig Argus- 
Fortunate and unfortunate ships — Ideas of seamen concerning; 
them— He sails in the Argus, and joins the third Mediterrane- 
an Squadron under Com. Preble — Com. Preble and the Em- 
peror of Morocco — Decatur leaves the brig Argus, and take? 
command of the schooner Enterprize — Disastrous loss of the 
frigate Philadelphia— Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitan 
corsair, and calls her "Ketch Intrepid" —Rendezvourr nt Sy- 
racuse — Brief Sketch of Jussuff, Bashaw of Tripoli — Sufferings 
of Capt. Bainbridge and cre-.v— Lieut Deratur volunteers to 
attempt the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia. 75 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Improper estimate of battles — Lieutenant Decatur sails for Tri- 
poli in the Kf^trh Intrepid — Balfled by adverse winds — diminu- 
tion of provisions — Reaches the harbour of Tripoli IGfh Feb. 
;1304 — Tjoses the as'sistance of the Syren and the boats— Enters 
the harbour with the Ketch Intrepid— Boards the Philadelphia, 
followed by Morris, Lawrence, Macdonough and the crt- w — 
Compels thp Turks to surrender — Sets the Philadelphia frigate 
on fire, and secures bis retreat—Gen. Ea'on and Caramdli — 
Conslf rnation of Bashaw — Joy of American prisoners — Small 
force of Comra. Preble. 100 

CHAPTFR IX. 

J^iputpv-'nt Decatur proraot-d to th<> r;>nk of Captatw— Prepa- 
rations for a general attack upon Tripoli— Capt. Decatur takes 



CONTENTS. ^'• 

CHAPTER XVI. 

• •. 1 ♦•^. r.r Comm Decatur''s achievements &c. in the 
Recapitulation of Cornm. ^,^caiu .omotion-Necessity 

Mediterranean in ^^V"^*"''' Arrhions duties of Department 
of different ^^^^^^^^^ ^^'ll-;'^^^^^^^^^^ 

fheXvy Cou.rnisIners--Respon.ibilUy ot the office--^Na. 
.) M-chitecture-*Rates of Ships-Comparative power— 

^nnua/e^n^ of ships of f ^^^ ':f "c;mr"Dertu " 
c i-n hinldin£r—/m-e»//o?Kf— Assiduity of Comm. uec^iui 
H';^;urs pailhim-Difficulty of designating Oihcers-Gom^m. 
Macdonough— Comm. Barron. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

romm Barron solicits a command in the Navy-Comm. Deca^ 
ia^s opk> on as 1 o his re-admission into the Navy-The unfor- 
un.te^msunderstandl^g bet.veen them--4t evenl^^^^ 
challenge to single combat, from Barron ^o Deca " "-D^^^^^ 
linsr— Result of the meeting— Immediate effects ot it— Hon- 
our's to the remains of Comm. Decatur-Funeral ceremomes 
at his iuterment— His Ch ab actkk - 






LIFE AND CHARACTER 



OF 



STEPHEN DECATUR, &c. 



CHAPTER I. 

[jIVTRODUCTORY.] 

Xaval Heroes identified with Naval Glorj'- — Commercial enter- 
prise of Americans — British jealousy against American Colo- 
nies — First dawning of Naval Glory amongst Americans — Con- 
stellation of Ocean- VVarriours — Stephen Decatur. 

STEPHEN DECATUR'S name and glory are so 
inseparably identified with that of the American Navy, 
that it is almost impossible to contemplate the high re- 
nown of the last, without associating with the exhilira- 
ting reflection, the splendid and unsurpassed achieve- 
ments of the first. Decatur and the navy (if the figure 
is allowable) went on from infancy, hand in hand, sup- 
ported and supporting — " growing with each others 
growth, and strengthening with each others strength," 
until they both acquired the dignified and noble attitude 
of manhood. 

Until the auspicious era c^ seventeen hundred and 
ninety e'i^ht, Americans themselves scarcely knew that 
the Republic had a naval force, and in that memurabie 



14 LIFE OF 

year, Stephen Decatur commenced his naval career. 
In the naval warfare with France^ and it was nothing 
else but naval warfare, the glory of the infant Ameri- 
can n ivy b 1 1 st upon the world like the sun-beam through 
a dark and lowering cloud. This constituted the first 
period of the navy and of Decatur's naval life. 

The warfare with the Barbary powers, especially 
with Tripoli^ again called into action the decreasing en- 
ergy of the American navy, and the increasing ardour 
of our naval officers and seamen. The glory of ournavy, 
and the achievements of our officers resounded through 
the three great continents bordering upon the Mediter- 
ranean, the greatest and most renowned of seas. This 
constituted the second period of the navy. It com- 
menced with the nineteenth century, and was the bril- 
liant commencement of Decatur's renown. 

The second war between the American Republic and 
the British Empire, formed the third period of our na- 
vy, and the rapid and splendid progression of Decatur's 
fame. 

The short naval warfare with Algiers which imme- 
diately followed the conclusion of the war with Britain, 
presented Decatur to the world in the two-fold capacity 
of Con/juerour and Negociator. It augmented the re- 
nown of the American navy — it was the complete con. 
summation of his glory. As Navy Commissioner, he 
displayed the knowledge he had acquired in active ser- 
vice. 

This rapid glance from the conr. ; 2ncement to the 
termination of these imperfect Sketches, is made, to 
elucidate the reasons for the maAner in which the work 
will be attempted. If a biographical memoir may be 
compared to ^ perspective painting, it will be the de- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 1^ 

sign ofthe writer to keep Stephen Decatur upon the 
foreground, and in the relief, to present slight t;?et4;s of 
the " origin, progress aud achievements of the Ameri- 
can navy.^^ Whether the delineations will be correct, 
and {he lights and shades yid\c'\o\is, must of course be 
left to the plain, unostentatious observer, and to the 
acute, fastidious, and acrimonious connoisseur. Howev- 
er grateful approbation might be to the writer, he is 
fully determined not to be carried to any high degree 
of elevation by commendation, nor sunk to the least 
deajree of dejection by censure. As he is confident he 
cannot give entire satisfaction to himself, he has little 
hope of imparting it to the reader. 

The thirst for naval glory, unconnected with the 
rapid accumulation of wealth, could hardly be said to 
constitute a prominent feature ofthe American charac- 
ter, until system and order was introduced into the 
American navy, during the administrations ofthe vene- 
rable John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. A spirit 
of commercial enterprise, without a parallel amongst 
ancient or modern nations, had indeed, for a long pe- 
riod before, rendered America the second nation in the 
world, in point of commercial importance. But this 
was the result of individual exertion and not of national 
patronage. The ocean, the great natural highway of na- 
tions, invited Americans to whiten its bosom with their 
canvass. Even before the British crown began to en- 
croach upon the rights of its American colonies, the 
thousands of Arej^jf^ican merchant shij)s were navigating 
every sea. The productions of every clime, from 
China to California, were poured into the lap ofthe ri- 
sing colonies. The hardy and intrepid seamen of 
America were seen in every ocean. They were seen 



16 



LIFE OP 



^ amidst the terrifying waves of the North, encountering 
the tremendous whale, whose evolutions and spoutings 
would seem to appal the stoutest heart. Even a dis- 
tinguished British admiral, who, for amusement, had 
joined an American whaling party, was lost in astonish- 
ment at the adventurous spirit of American seamen, and 
lost his fortitude in the threatening danger that surroun- 
ded him. 

American seamen were also seen, enduring the blast- 
ing rays of an equinoctial sun, and bearing home to their 
country all the varied productions of the tropical re- 
gions. Wherever a ship could navigate oceans, our 
energetic and dauntless navigators led the van in nav- 
igating enterprise. It is readily acknowledged that at 
this early period of the history of our country in its 
rapid progress to national glory, our merchants and 
seamen thought of little else than the rapid accumula- 
tion of wealth. But let it never be forgotten, that our 
countrymen, by these pursuits, were adding prac^tcaZ 
knowledge, to the theory of navigation — fearless intre- 
jjidity, to scientific acquirements. 

The British nation, for a long period before its dead- 
ly jealousy commenced a systematic oppression of 
its American children, was the almost undisputed mis- 
tress of the ocean. She claimed that she had wrested 
the trident of Neptune from his hands, and that the 
four continents ought to be tributary to her wealth and 
power. That government, ever watchful of national 
glory, and as its handmaid, ever insatiable in amassing 
national wealth, looked with a suspicious eye upon the 
American colonies, although they con^^tituted the most 
briUiant gem in the British diadem. When the infat- 



I^TEPHEN DECATUR. 21 

dors or Stuarts* is coursing sluggishly through the 
veins of the modern hero of a memoir ; and although 
the present legitimate princes of the British empire 
have but little legitimate blood amongst their subjects, 
it would undoubtedly be highly gratifying to learn that 
he can claim consanguinity, or even some aflinity with 
the house of Brunswick.^ 

The American reader, however much he may desire 
it, can seldom be gratified, in tracing a lengthened gene- 
alogy of his distinguished countrymen. It may well be 
doubted whether any of the original European inhabi- 
tants of Maryland, the native, and Pennsylvania^ the 
adopted state of Decatur, or indeed of any other of the 
ancient colonies, even thought of bringing across the 
Atlantic, any family archives, or any evidence of family 
ancestry. Ardent in the pursuit of civil and religious 
liberty, they little cared about proving their descent from 
an arbitrary royal family, or a degenerated nobility who 
had deprived them of both. Indeed, it may be doubt- 
ed whether our ancestors had any noble blood, except- 
ing that noble blood which rouses all true Americans, 
and Englishmen too, to revolt at civil and ecclesiastical 
tyranny. Our ancestors were not amongst the favour- 
ites of the courts of the Charleses, the Jameses or the 
Georges ; — they generally consisted of the highest and 
best informed class of the sturdy yeomanry, who chose 
rather to encounter the dangers of the ocean, and all 
the appalling horrours of Indian warfare, than to submit 
to the abused prerogative of a crown, or the arrogance 

*Aacient reigning farnUies in England. 

"i' The preient r«iguing family in the JBritish Empire. 



22 LIFE OF 

of an insolent high church priesthood. They came 
here to begin a Republic, and to begin their own names : 
and surely it is far more gratifying to see a new-born 
repubhc, rising in strong majesty, than to behold an- 
cient empires and kingdoms tottering to their fall. It 
is also infinitely more gratifying to behold the present 
geurration of Americans beginning names for them- 
aelt^es, than to see them ending those that were render- 
ed ilhistrious by their ancestors. 

These hasty remarks are not made with a view of 
extirpating from the breast that noble sentiment ivhleh 
induces the descendants of great Statesmen, Heroes, 
and Scholars, to cherish, venerate and defend the fame 
of their ancestors ; but to impress the idea thus forci- 
bly expressed by one of the master painters of human 
nature ; — 

" Ths deeds of long descended ancestors, 
Are but bj g7'ace of imputation ours,'*^ 

Ths reader -my be led to suppose from the preced- 
ing remarks, that Decatnr was of the humblest origin, 
and that the obscurity of his family is about to be men- 
tionsd in or-!er to i ic? ease the lustre of his own achieve- 
ments. Not ^o. — the object was to impress upon the 
mind of the 3^0 it'ifu! reader, a sentiment which ought 
to be unce:>sinily reiterated through tho- Republic, 
that the prin:Mv)le of family aristocracy, prostrates the 
very genius of our constitution. The rising youth of 
America should scorn to repose in li.«tless inactivity, — 
riot in the wealth, or bask in the fame of their ances- 
tors. Nothing but personal merit, and deeds of actual 
renown, entitles a man to be enrolled with worthies, or 
hold a niche in the temple of fame. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 23 

How ignoble would Stephen and James Decatur. 
have appeared, if, instead of devoting themselves to 
their country, and achieving deeds of glory as the foun- 
dation Q){ their own fame, they had supinely reposed up- 
on the high rank and reputation of their gallant father ? 

The family of Decatur was of French extraction in 
the paternal line — upon the maternal *ide, it was of 
Irish extraction. Could it be indulged in a biograph- 
ical memoir, what a capacious field is here opened to 
" expatiate free" upon the prominent characteristics 
of Frenchmen and Irishmen ? We might paint the chiv- 
alrous gallantry of the one, and the ardent and roman- 
tic courage of the other — we can only say, they both 
were most happily and gloriously united in Stephen 
Decatur — under the name of an American. 

His grandfather was a native^ La Rochelle, in 
France, celebrated for the refinement and taste which 
prevails in the large cities of that captivating and charm- 
ing country. Although amongst the early emigrants 
from European nations, Frenchmen included but a 
small proportion, many of the most distinguished men 
of the middle and southern gtates can trace their ori- 
gin to that people. The same cause that drove English- 
men, Scotsmen, Irishmen, Germans, &c. to the* New 
World — civil and ecclesiastical oppression, also com- 
pelled some of the persecuted ^Hugonots in France, 
to seek an asylum in America, which has most em- 
phatically been denominated " The asylum of oppressed 
humanity.''^ W^hat were the motives of Decatur's an- 

* Vide, the pathetic accounts of the sanguinary persecution of 
the Hugonots by the Papal power. 



24 LIFE OF 

cestors to emigrate, Is lost in the oblivious shade that is 
spread over that interesting period of our history. He 
landed in Rhode If^land, a state which owes its existence 
to an high sense of religious liberty. 

Having soon discovered the excellence of a govern- 
ment where freedom of thought, freedom of speech 
and freedom of the press had dissipated the monkish 
gloom and sullen terror which enveloped and chained 
the human mind in the regions where a subtil, aspiring, 
corrupt, and detestable priesthood held dominion, he 
relinquished all idpa of returning to his n:itive land — 
married a lady of Rhode Island, and settled at Newport, 
situated upon the most charming island bordering upon 
the American continent. 

It was here that Stephen Decatur, the father of our 
hero was born, ^^at were the pecuniary circumstan- 
ces of this family, Irthis period is unknown to the wri- 
ter, and is of but little consequence to the reader. 
That adventurous spirit, which characterises the name 
of Decatur, induced him, in early life, to remove to 
the city of Philadelphia, the metropolis of the then 
American colonies. Having previously become ac- 
quainted, and enamoured with the ocean, he resorted 
to that element as the theatre of his exertions, his for- 
tune and his fame. 

From whsft has previously been said, the reader will 
not here expect a biographical notice of the distinguish- 
ed father of the subj'^ct of these Sketches. His life 
deserves the record of a much abler hand than that 
which is now attemptmg to portray that of his gallant 
and illustrious son. A mere miniature will only be 
attempted. He entered into the matrimonial state 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 25 

early in life before the fine feeling of an affectionate 
heart had been cooled by intercourse with a deceitful, 
friendless, and cruel world. His bosom companion 
was the daughter of an Irish gentleman by the name of 
Pine. Having been previously instructed in the theo- 
ry of navigation, he commenced his nautical life in the 
merchants' service at that auspicious period when 
commercial enterprize was the sure passport to sudden 
wealth. But its fascinating charms had no attractions 
for the elder Stephen Decatur, when put in competi- 
tion with naval glory. No sooner had our infant navy 
embraced the ocean, than his ardent spirit led him, 
amongst the very first of the naval heroes of 1798, to 
tender his services to his country. Let it be remem- 
bered that at that period, the Republic had no comman- 
ders who had distinguished themselves — America was 
not even ranked with naval poweiw It therefore re- 
quired a devotion to country which must border upon 
the romantic, to engage in a service apparently so preg- 
nant with difficulty and hazard. 

Notwithstanding the blaze of glory which now en- 
circles our naval officers, it is no more than justice to 
the^^r*^ class of naval commanders to say that they 
share equally in the glory acquired for the Republic 
by our naval achievements. They were the first 
teachers of that admirable system — that inimitable disci- 
pline, — that unequalled police which has ever distin- 
guished the American navy. Ask the gallant ocean 
warriours of the second war between the Republic and 
the British Empire, where they acquired that unparal- 
leled nautical skill which is as necessary as dauntless 
courage — antl tbey will refer you to the school of Trux- 

3 



26 LIFE OF 

TON, the senior Decatur, and his cotemporaries ; and 
afterwards to Preble and his coadjutors. 

The elder Decatur was first appointed to the com- 
mand of the Delaware sloop of war, and continued in 
the same command, until the patriotic merchants of 
Philadelphia presented to their country a noble frigate 
named after that n6ble city. It may almost be said that 
she was built for the Decaturs, for she was first com- 
manded by the father in the naval warfare with PVance, 
who lived to see her destroyed by the son, when in the 
hands of a Tripolitan Bashaw. He continued in the 
command of the'Philadelphia, teaching his gallant crew 
the path to certain victory, and protecting American 
commerce from French depredations. At the conclu- 
sion of peace with France he resigned his command, 
and retired to the bosom of his beloved family near the 
city of PhiladelplA Here this veteran son of Nep- 
f'lne beheld from year to year the rising glory of the 
navy — and, whatconsummatedjhis temporal felicity, the 
fame of his beloved sons, Stephen and James. Sitting 
between them at a public naval dinner, a few years be- 
fore his death, he was congratulated by some of the 
guests upon the happiness he enjoyed in his family. 
Turning his animated eyes, alternately toward his two 
sons, and uttering forth the sentiments of his noble and 
patriotic heart he exclaimed, •'' Our Children — 

THEY ARE THE PROPERTY OF OUR COUNTRY," a Seii- 

timent that wovild have done honour to the Decii of 
Rome, and which led ihern to die for the Ptepublic. 
The eyes of his pons beamed with the ardour of filial 
affection — their hearts swelled with patriotism— the 
guests were electrified with joy. The noble veteran 



STEPHEN DECATUR. -i< 

retired from a scene almost too joyous to be endured. 
He lived to lament the denth of his son James — ended 
his active and patriotic labours in the year 1808, and 
closed a life which rendered him lamented and honour- 
ed in death. 

Thus much, and thus only, can here be said of the life 
of the father of Stephen Decatur. He sleeps with the 
great and good men who have shed a lustre upon the 
history of the Republic. His memory will be cherish- 
ed and held in fond remembrance by our countrymen, 
as well for his own exalted worth, as for the inestimable 
legacy he left his country in giving it two sons who em- 
ulated his virtues — pursued the path he pointed out to 
fame— clothed themselves with laurels of unfading 
splendour, and essentially advanced the glory of the 
American Republic. -# 

The reader is now, asked for awhile to withdraw his 
attention from the beloved and cherished name of the 
Decaturs, and follow the writer while he attempts, im- 
perfectly, to give a brief view of the origin and pro- 
gress of the American Navy until that period when Ste- 
phen Decatur, the leading subject of these Sketches, 
entered into the service of his country as a l^lidshipmaii. 
From that period, to the day of his death, his biography 
must necessarily be blended with brief notices of the 
progress and achievements of our navy. His spirit 
seemed to be infused into every breast that was led 
upon the. mighty deep in our conquering ships. He 
seemed to be the genius of Victory, hovering over our 
floating bulwarks, and shedding its radiance even in the 
hour of disaster. 



28 



LIFE OF 



CHAPTER III. 

Txtinction of Naval Power and Naval Spirit at the close of tlie 
R-evolution—A Seventy-four presented to Louis XVI. — Con- 
jecture concerning her — Astonishing effects of Naval Power 
— Epxroachments upon American Commerce and humiliation 
of American Seamen — Act of Congress 1794 for building six 
Frigates — Enthusiasm excited by it — Frigate Constitution — 
Achievements of Truxton, Little &;c. — Anecdotes of the eldei* 
Decatur and Tryon — Midshipman Stephen Decatur. 

When the war of the Revolution ended in the ac- 
knowledgment of American Independence, the civi^ 
fathers of the Republic had a duty no less arduous to 
perform in the Cabinet, than her gallant array had 
achieved and just concluded in the field. It would be 
but repeating, what the writer attempted to remark 
upon this subject in another publication* — it is there- 
fore introduced in this place. 

"Destitute of a government of their own making, 
they had before them the lights of antiquity, and the 
practical knowledge of modern ages. With the scruti- 
nizing research of statesmen, and the calm delibera- 
tion of philosophers, they proceeded to establish a con- 
stitution of Civil Government, as the supreme law of 
the land. The establishment of this Constitution is, 
perhaps, without a parallel in the history of the civili- 
zed world. It was not the unresisted mandate of a 
successful usurper, nor was it a government imposed 

* Vide Memoirs of Jackson, p. 13, 5th edition. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



29 



\3pon the people by a victorious army. It was d igest 
ed by profound statesmen, who aimed to secure all the 
rightsof the people who had acquired them, by their 
toil, their courage, and their patriotism. They aimed 
also to give to the govtrnment, suiJicient energy to 
command respect. 

To the people of the American Republic, a consti- 
tution was presented for their deliberation, and for 
their adoption. It was adopted, not with entire una- 
nimity, but by a majority of the people, sufiiciently re- 
spectable to give its operation a promising commence- 
ment. The people, having emancipated themselves 
from the power of a British monarch— having success- 
fully resisted his lords and his commons, looked with 
iealousy upon those who were called to tlie exercise of 
the power which they had themselves delegated to 
their own countrymen. The excellency of the con- 
stitution was tested by the practical application of its 
principles ; and the patriotism nnd integrity, of all the 
early officers who derived their power from it, were 
acknowledged by their admiring countrymen." 

These great statesmen were called upon, not to di- 
rect the resources of the country, for resources she 
had none : they were called upon to create them, and 
then apply them to the proper objects. So fir as na- 
tional power, depends upon national wealth, the con- 
federated stMtes were as feeble as a reed shaken by 
the winfi. Involved in debt without a treasury — the 
veteran soldiers of the revolution yet bleeding, and 
their toils unrewarded — the commerce of the country 
almost swept from the ocean, by the ruthless carnage 
of a Vandal foe— our country depredated and cities 



o 



30 LIFE OF 

burned, all, all presented to the eye and to the imagi- 
nation of our ancestors a dreary and outspread scene 
of desolation. 

At the conclusion of the revolutionary struggle, the 
few little ships that had performed such romantic, and 
chivalrous deeds of noble daring, were converted into 
merchantmen. At this period, a single Seventy-four 
had been built and fitted for sea, designed for that prod- 
igy of a man, Paul Jones, previously mentioned. A 
line of battle ship in the navy of France, having been 
wrecked upon the American coast, our grateful fore- 
fathers, as one acknowledgement to Louis XVI. the 
only crowned head in Europe who ever looked upon 
America except with an eye of jealousy or fear, pre- 
sented this ship to that best and most unfortunate of the 
Bourbons. 

It is left to vague and undefined conjecture, what 
results would have been produced had this ship of the 
line been retained by our government. That unsatisfi- 
ed cupidity, that insatiable thirst for wealth, which like 
the daughters of the horse-leach, continually cry, 
^^ give, give^' and which pervaded so completely the 
bosoms of Americans at this period, might have suffer- 
ed her to moulder away in our waters, and never have 
hoisted the "star spangled banner" upon her mast. 
If the writer may be permitted to conjcture for him- 
self, he would express an opinion diametrically oppo- 
site. Some rising and ardent Decatur of that period, 
would have sought for the command of her — he would 
have made her the floating seininary for V\e instruction 
of American seamen, in naval tactics, — frigates and 
floops of war would have grown up around her, as a 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 31 

rallying point ; and the first spoliation upon our rapidly 
increasing commerce would have met with a prompt 
and vindictive chastisement. 

But American commerce was left to the fate, doomed 
to be inflicted upon it by the belligerent powers of Eu- 
rope. Yes, the same powers, which, toward the close 
of the last quarter of the eighteenth century, preyed 
upon our merchants with fearless impunity, now, at 
nearly the close of tiie first quarter ot the nineteenth 
century, dare not pollute the deck of the humblest 
American craft that ploughs the ocern. 

But it was necessary for American statesmen in the 
dawn of our national greatness, as it is now, when it 
is rising toward its meridian splendour, to conform their 
measureis to the actual state of the country. It is 
wholly in vain to attempt to force a free and intelligent 
people into the adoption of measures which they can- 
not approve witliout surrendering the physical power 
they possess, and caiiuot execute without a sacrifice of 
ther red or supposed interests. When our ancestors 
first began to recover from the convulsive shock of the 
revolution, they little thought of providing defence 
against future invasions of our rights upon our acknow- 
ledged territory, or upon the ocean, the great highway 
of all natioiis. Having thoroughly learned the evils of 
a large standing ar;ny, in time of peace, they reluctantly 
retained the scanty pittance of a military force, scarcely 
sufficient lo supply the few garrisons then scattered 
ove ' our immfn«e country. 

But naval ponder and naval men is what is embraced 
in the object of this work. It would be a theme upon 
which we might expatiate with all the rapture of in- 



32 LIFE OP 

creasing delight to trace the origin and progress of that 
tremendous and resistless power which ancient and 
modern nations have created for themselves upon the 
ocean. From the ancient Carthage, to England, which 
has not inaptly been called the modern Carthage, we 
might show how nations small in territory and popula- 
tion, — without the means of extending dominion, and 
scarcely able to protect themselves by land defences, 
have rolled on from conquest to conquest, and made im- 
mense empires bow and become tributary to the wood- 
en walls of naval prowess. How came Holland once, 
and England now, to wield the sceptre of power in the 
East and in the West Indies, and fill their coffers with 
their trea(<ure ? — ^by their naval ponder. How came 
Spain, in the reign of Philip, to menace, and all but 
conquer England herself, in the reign of Elizabeth ? — 
by her naval power. It was the elements that defeated 
the Spanish armada, on the coast of England, as Nelson, 
in a single day conquered France and Spain at Trafal- 
gar.* How has it come to pass that the best portions 
of Asia have lost their ancient dominion, and are now 
Coloni^ of European nations ? — By naval power. Pa- 
ges might be swelled with this " swelling theme." But, 
rapidly to anticipate what will hereafter be more mi- 
nutely noticed. What preserved the immense territory 
of the West from the desolations of a Vandal army which 

* A very humorous poem of this period makes Admiral Ville- 
neuve thus express himself : — 

" So now, mes sages sirs, we must give up de notion, 
And let England peaceably govern de ocean. 
As old Neptune wont grant us the rule of de sea. 
He may give his damnM pitchfork to Nelson for me." 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 33 

seemed to be irresistible, in the second war with Bri- 
tain ? The naval power upon Lake Erie. What pro- 
tected the wide and wealthy regions of the North, in 
the same war, from the ravages of an insatiable foe ? 
The naval power upon Lake Champlain. And to fill 
the climax, to do justice to which would require *' a 
muse ofjire to ascend the highest heaven of invention,** 
what made the cross of St. George and the Turkish 
Crescent bow to American prowess ? — The naval power. 
The profound sagacity, and wary policy of American 
Statesmen, who sat the intricate machine of govern- 
ment in operation under our Republican Constitution, 
well understood the overwhelming bankruptcy in which 
the British empire was sinking, or rather sunk, by her 
immense naval force. They sought to bestow upon 
their beloved Republic richer blessings than the h\eS' 
sing of national debt. No human sagacity, however, 
could, at that time, foresee that American commerce 
would soon become the direct road to sudden national 
wealth, although they must have known that an exten- 
ded commerce could not long be protected, without a 
naval force, nor a naval force be supported without 
commerce. England, the imperious, and then undis- 
puted mistress of the ocean, wielding the trident of 
Neptune over every sea, beheld American canvass in 
every latitude. Her jealousy was roused. Her arm- 
ed ships searched our vessels for " contraband goods,". 
impressed our seamen, and immured them in their 
''floating dungeons." Other petty naval powers, 
whose power on the ocean is now merged with that of 
Britain, the naval dictator of, because the most power- 
ful nation in, Europe, followed her example of aggres^ 



34 LIFE OF 

sion, as feeble whappets follow in the train of a ferocious 
mastiff. The pride of Ainijrican seamen, arising from 
the national glory of America acquired in the glorious 
revolution, was compelled to succumb to the mandate 
of every puny v/hipster who could shew a gun upon his 
deck. It was not voluntary submission, but submission 
'^ ex necessitate rei,'''' — the necessity of the case, — a 
most painful necessity. 

The national resources had been almost exclusively 
derived from individual wealth — and that wealth had 
for years been committed to the ocean as the road to 
immediate wealth. Other nations, which were conten- 
ding for dominion upon land and upon water, for a con- 
siderable period, lost sight of the advancing wealth, 
and, as a consequence, national power of the Ameri- 
can Republic. Contending for crowns which sat loose- 
ly upon the fearful heads that sustained their ponder- 
ous weight, and dreading to see theiu fall, these nations, 
although contending with each other, seemed to unite 
in trying to blast the growing power of America. 

The Barbary powers?, whose corsairs hovered over 
that portion of the or.Q-.u where some part of our en- 
terprising mercha'<ta)e<i wore purjjuing their lucrative 
business, plundered their ver:sftls, and made slaves of 
their crews. The greater commercial nations, with 
more power, and aK-o with more humanity, endeav- 
oured to extirpate American commerce, and check the 
rapid progress of Atueiican weallh. They possessed 
naval porver, of whicti our Repiiblic was then destitute. 
Our patriotic rulers, as soon as they found our couiitry 
in possession of the means adequate to the hard task of 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 35 

supporting our natural rights upon the ocean, began to 
devise " ways and means" to do it. 

It would require more pages than the limits of thie 
volume will admit, to epitomatize the diversified argu- 
ments resorted to by the most eminent of American 
statesmen, in favor of, and against an efficient naval 
power. Some of them looked upon the "thousand 
armed ships" of England and despaired. They saw 
also the Russian, French, Spanish, and Danish fleets 
and dismissed all hopes of ever coping with any naval 
power. But Washington was still alive ; and guiding 
the high destinies of our Republic in peace, as he had 
done in the war of the Revolution. His prescience 
readily suggested to his great mind the indlspenfible 
necessity of a naval force to protect our extensive and 
extending commerce. Negociation, to be sure, bad 
obtained some indemnification for spoliations upon it ; 
but the most successful negociations have always been 
made at the mouth of the cannon. Our rulers could 
no longer endure the thought, that our citizens, who 
had sought an " home upon the deep," should become 
victims to every prince who could send out a few crui- 
sers, with a rapacious crew. They were determined 
that American citizens, purswing a lawful commerce 
upon the ocean, should, as they ought, be protected 
there, as others pursuing lawful business on land. This 
was not the gasconading threat of a nurse who only 
brandishes the rod before the eyes of a truant child, 
without daring to strike ; it was the decisive language 
of a parent, having a right to command, and power suf- 
ficient to enforce his decrees. 

The year 1794, the auspicious period which laid 



36 lIFE OF 

the foundation of our naval power, ought to be com- 
memorated with eqnal enthusiasm as that of 1776, 
which made the declaration and laid the foundation for 
American Independence. The first hull of a frigate 
that was laid by our government, was the key-stone to 
the triumphant arch of American glory. If fancy 
might be indulged upon a subject which needs not its 
fictitious aid, we might see Neptune approaching our 
shores, and surrendering his trident to the banners of 
Columbia, when the first American frigate was launch- 
ed into the bosom of the deep. The writer, then a 
boy, may hope to be indulged for expressing now the 
enthusiasm hefelt^ when he beheld the frigate Consti- 
tution launched from a Boston ship-yard. This untu- 
tored enthusiasm was occasioned, not by knowing then, 
the immeasurable power of a navy, but from the im- 
mense assemblage of animated citizens who witnessed 
the animating scene. They inight have exclaimed — 
" There is one of our protectors upon the ocean — 
while she swims, she will not only protect our indi- 
vidual wealth, but she will manfully sustain our nation- 
al rights upon the waves." What might have then been 
prophesy, is now history. 

Proceeding with that caution and judgment which 
must mark the course of our rulers, they authorised 
the building of only four frigates of forty-four guns, 
and two of thirty-six. The amount of the force, was 
infinitely of less importance than the recognition of the 
principle, that a naval force was necessary for the pro- 
tection of our territory and our commerce. The el- 
der Stephen Decatur was amongst the first Post-Cap- 
taios who were appelated to command our infant navy. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 37 

An opportunity was oifered in the short war which oc- 
Gurred in the administration of Adams, between Ame- 
rica and France, to call into operation our naval force. 
Indeed that war was nothing but naval warfare. 

It is readily admitted that the achievements of sin- 
gle ships or fleets, in the bloody and desperate contests 
which invariably follow upon the meeting of forces 
nearly f-qnal, sheds a lustre upon the officers and sea- 
men, and even upon the names of the vessels engaged 
in them, which is seldom awarded to the less brilliant, 
although no less valuable protection which is afforded 
to merchant vessels by public armed ships. The Ame- 
rican navy was commenced for the purpose of extend- 
ing protection to American commerce, and not to en- 
croach upon commercial rights upon the ocean. But 
when naval warfare became necessary to accomplish 
the great objects of our administration in establishing a 
navy, our early Poet-Captains didnotshrink from what 
was then deemed a doubtful contest. 

The achievements of the gallant and skilful Trux- 
TON and Little ou^ht never to be forgotten, although 
their splendid victories in the war of 1798 with France 
have almost been buried in oblivion, in the splendour 
of the victories acquired by the pupils of the first list 
of our naval commanders ; yet, when Americans cense 
to hold their early deeds in our naval history in fond re- 
membrance, they will forget the first victory upon the 
ocean, which stimulated American youth to search for 
fame upon that element. The eulogy of Truxton is not 
so often to be found in the records of corporation din- 
ners — votes of thanks — presentation of swords, and the 
assemblages of an admiring populace, as those of his * 
4 



38 LIFE OF 

gallant followers in naval warfare who so richly de- 
served every honour and reward which a grateful and 
protected country have bestowed upon them. But 
Americans could not then duly appreciate the value and 
importance of naval protection, and as to the ingrati- 
tude of Republics it has become proverbial. 

When Truxton in the Constellation compelled the 
superior French frigate Insurgente to strike her flag, 
the naval power of the French empire almost vanished, 
and that of America commenced. When he maintained 
a contest with a line of battle ship, through a long night- 
battle, and compelled her to seek for safety by flight, 
her commander not then knowing his antagonist, de- 
clared, that " he must have been an American ; for no 
other people on earth could load so rapidly, — fire so 
accurately, — and fight so desperately." 

The elder Decatur, in the mean time, with his gal- 
lant associates in the several ships under their command, 
were sweeping marauding picaroons from the ocean, 
and convoying our richly laden merchantmen to their 
destined porta. Besides the immense amount of indi- 
vidual property thus saved to the owners, the reve- 
nue alone arising to the government from this source, 
amounted to a sum 2:reater than the whole expense of 
building and supporting the navy, up to that period. If 
this fact does not appeal to the lovers of national glory, 
it surely must to the worshippers of individual and 
national wealth. 

However rapidly we wish to glide over this subject, 
and trace the younger Decatur in his career of naval 
glory, we ought again to pause and off'erup a tribute of 
undissembled admiration to the old veteran ocean-war- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



39 



riours, who amidst perils that wouM seem to appal the 
very Genius of Victory herself, pointed out the path 
to America that so shortly has led her almost to the ze- 
nith of national greatness. The world at that time was 
literally girdled with floating batteries, and all seemed 
to be pointed at our immense commerce and our hum- 
ble navy. Nelson declared that in this little g^irm of 
naval power he saw the future rival of Britain. Pride, 
and fear, and avarice, all conspired to wish and attempt 
an extermination of our gallant infant navy. Even at 
this period, although at peace with England, and fight- 
ing our worst enemy, an insolent admiral, commanded 
the gallant and vigilant Tryon of Connecticut, and then 
commanding the ship Connecticut to " come under his 
stern" as a token of submission, or an acknowledgment 
of inferiority. He instantly cleared his ship for action , 
and ordered all hands to quarters. The admiral sent 
an officer on board to know whether the order was 
heard, and if so, why it was not obeyed. " It was 
heard" said Capt. Tryon, '"■ and the reason why it was 
not obeyed, you readily perceive, is, that all my hands 
are at quarters, ready to defend this ship." Either 
fear or admiration prevented a repetition of the order, 
and the little ship rode on the windward side of the ad- 
miral with her peak up, and her banners waving. 

In the first cruise the elder Decatur made in the fri 
g;ite Philadelphia, he found she did not sail so swift as 
he wished. As she was approaching toward her station, 
she was descried at a distance by Capt. Tryon bearing 
toward him. Otving to thick weather, or some other 
cause the Captain did not discover the character of his 
approaching visitor, and cleared ship for action. His 



iO LIFE OF 

officers and crew were elated at the prospect of a tete 
a tete with some Monsieur Capitaine. They were de- 
prived of that pleasure and enjoyed that of welcoming 
upon the station the noble Philadelphia frigate. After 
exchanging the usual civilities Commodore Decatur 
asked Captain Tryon *' if his ship was a good sailer ?" 
— "She will sail with French picaroons'" said Captain 
Tryon, " but I do not know how she would sail with 
the frigate Philadelphia.''^ — " Are you disposed to try 
it?" asked the Commodore. " If you please, sir," 
was the answer. The sailing-match was had ; and in 
the specified time, the little ship Connecticut run the 
Philadelphia " hull down" twice. The next day Cap- 
tain Tryon and his officers partook of a splendid dinner 
on board the Philadelphia, when Commodore Decatur 
jocosely said, " I'll exchange ships vvitli yoa Captain 
Tryon."— -The younger Decatur at this time was ser- 
ving as Midshipman in the frigate United States ; and 
little thought he should one day destroy his father's 
ship in the harbour of Tripoli. 

Innumerable instances might be mentioned to show 
the veteran firmness of the American post-captains and 
seamen of that day. Thank heaven the spirits of these 
men survive in their successors, and, in allusion to them 
we may exclaim, — '^ Jlrnor patrice vires acquiret eun- 
do.''— The love of country augments its strength as 
it advances. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 411 



CHAPTER IV. 

Stephen Decatur^s early education— Peculiar advantages enjoyed 
by him — Enter: the frigate United States as Midshipman 1798 
— Promoted to Lieutenant — Cruises in the West Indies against 
the French — Enters the brig Norfolk as 1st Lieutenant 1799 — 
sails to the Spanish Main — Re-enters frigate United States- 
Barbarism of French and Spanish to American Seamen — Vic 
tories of Truxton, Little, &;c.— Humiliation of the French— 
Peace with France — Rewards for heroism. 

Although Stephen Decatur came into existence on 
the shores of the Chesapeake in Maryland, yet he can 
hardly be said to be a native of that state. The resi- 
dence of his parents for years before his birth, had been 
in the city of Philadelphia — and they only left it as 
many distinguished citizens had done in consequence of 
the possession of that important place by the British 
forces in the war of the revolution. Upon evacuating 
it, Decatur's parents returned to their former residence 
there when he was but three months old. 

In this noble city, which has with much propriety 
been called the '* Athens of Columbia," Decatur was 
reared, educated, and prepared for the important and 
splendid scenes through which he was afterwards to 
pass. A more eligible situation to acquire an accom- 
plished education, and dignified deportment, and that 
ardent spirit of emulation which stimulates noble minds 
to noble deeds, can hardly be imagined than that enjoy- 
ed by young Decatur. His father held the first rank 
amongst experienced navigators, and his house of course 
4* 



42 LIFE OF 

would be the resort of men the most enterprising and 
adventurous. The reader can almost now through the 
*' mind's eye" behold Stephen and Jame.-, suspending 
for awhile their literary studies, and rapturously lis- 
tening to the narrations of their father, as he occasion- 
ally returned from the bosom of the boisterous ocean 
to that of his tranquil family. It would naturally direct 
their attention to that reading which described ancient 
and modern achievements upon the sea. In addition to 
the advantages afforded by the best libraries and accom- 
plished instructors, these aspiring youths, who may be 
called the Decatii, had often under their eyes, and of 
course under their admiration, many of the surviving 
veterans of the Revolution. After their " young ideas 
had been taught to shoot,'^ and their expanded intellects 
began to dawn, they were amidst that body of wonderful 
and profound statesmen who commenced the gigantic 
labour of beginning the Republic under the Cor!stitu- 
tion in 1789. They beheld the majestic form of 
Washington presiding with awful solemnity over the 
anxious councils of the nation. They witnessed the 
rewards and the honours then bestowed upon those 
whose wounds and scars were received in the great 
struggle for American Independence. They learned 
from time to time the encroachments made upon our 
commerce ; and they must have heard much of that 
debate, than which, a more important one never occu- 
pied the deliberations ofour civil fathers :--" Shall the 
Republic have, or shall she not have a Navy." 
They witnessed, and participated in the rapture which 
pervaded all the great commercial towns in our coun- 
try, when the first keels of our armed ships were laid. 



STEPHEN DECATCJR. 43 

Passing over numerous interesting incidents in the 
early education of these youths (for they cannot yet be 
separated) at the ages of fifteen and seventeen their 
whole views were directed towards the navy, and their 
studies calculated to prepare them for the duties of na- 
val stations. 

At the earliest organization of the navy, their father, 
as previously mentioned, was appointed first to the 
command of a sloop of war, and soon after to that of the 
Philadelphia frigate. His sons, stimulated to enthusi- 
asm by his example, soon after followed it, — and follow- 
ed him in pursuit of naval fame. It is not known to me 
in what ship nor under what commander James first 
sailed ; and he can no more be mentioned in these 
Sketches until his tragical death, avenged by Stephen 
with an heroism unexampled, must be alluded to. 

Commodore Barry, one of the earliest Post-Captains 
in the American navy, obtained for Stephen Decatur, 
the warrant of a Midshipman in 1798, and he immedi- 
ately entered on board the frigate United States, then 
commanded by that accomplished, although since too 
much forgotten officer. 

It was on board this noble ship that Midshipman De- 
catur began to reduce the tK-A-^retical knowledge he 
had previously obtained of naval tactics and navigation, 
to that actual practice which enabled him, after many 
years had rolled over his head, and after passing 
through many scenes of de^^perate carnage, and appal- 
ling horrour, in the same ship, to conquer, and for the 
first time, to add a British frigate to the American navy. 

But we must not here anticipate the numerous 
achievements of Decatur, nor the progress of the navy 



44 LIFE OF 

as connected with them. It is the design to detail them 
in succession, and in as succinct and perspicuous a man- 
ner as the writer is able to perform the task. He must 
again express his deep solicitude, when reflecting upon 
the difficulty, delicacy, and interesting nature of the 
subject. He dare not hope for applause, and scarcely 
hopes to avoid censure. But as he would not be very 
highly elated by the one, nor very deeply depressed 
by the other, he will continue his delineations, however 
imperfectly they may be designed, or however unskil- 
fully they may be coloured. This volume shall at least 
be a sincere, however humble tribute of the respect 
the writer wishes to offer to the memory of Decatur, 
and to the fathers and protectors, and augmentors of 
the naval power of America. 

The United States frigate, for a considerable time af- 
ter Midshipman Decatur entered her, was engaged in 
the arduous duty of protecting, and convoying Ameri- 
can merchantmen, and chastising or destroying the con- 
temptible swarms of French and Spanish picaroons that 
then infested the ocean. Had Barry, like Truxton and 
Little have had the good fortune to have fallen in with 
a French national ship of superior force, during the 
naval warfare with Fr?r :^-e, it would not have been left 
for his favourite Midshipman, Decatur, to have led the 
frigate he then commanded to gain the Jirst frigate she 
ever conquered — nor would the glory of Decatur, al- 
though then just entering the years of manhood, have 
been postponed to the contest with the Barbary pow- 
ers. 

While in this frigate he was promoted to the rank of 
Lieutenant ; on evidence of his progress in his darling 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 45 

profession— of the attachment of his commander— and 
of the confidence of the administration. The frigate, 
iVom long cruises needed repairs, and was ordered into 
port to be refitted. 

It would seem that a young officer, having been long 
subjected to the severe duty to be unceasingly perform- 
ed onboard a frigate in the early stages of naval life, 
would pant for temporary repose, at least. Not so, 
the ardent Lieutenant ; he panted for nothing but na- 
val renown. The conquest of the Insurgente, La Ven- 
geance, andBerceau, aroused him to a pitch of enthusi- 
asm, which perhaps needed the restraint of prudent 
caution. He solicited an order to join the U. States' 
brig Norfolk. His request was granted ; and fee sailed 
in her 2ls first Lieutenant to the Spanish Main ; hoping 
that this portion of the ocean would afford him some 
opportunity for the display of valour beyond that which 
is to be found in the more humble duty of conquering 
privateers, or convoying merchantmen. But he re- 
turned back with the Norfolk without having accom- 
plished the predominant wishes of his heart. But 
while he was thus progressing in his profession — dis- 
appointed himself, and perhaps disappointing the high 
expectations of his too sanguine friends, he was ac- 
quiring that practical skill in naval tactics — that mysfe- 
rioub art of commanding freemen, and at the same time 
securing their attachment and respect, so indispensably 
necessary in a naval commander. It was in these early^ 
schools, that Decatur acquired this master-ait in his 
profession. 

The U. States frigate having been fitted for sea, 
Lieut. Decatur entered her in the same capacity in 



46 LIFE OF 

which he left her. The naval warfare with France 
still continued, and continued by Frenchmen and Span- 
iards with a rapacity, barbarity, and diabolical cruelty, 
which assimilated the first mentioned, gallant and hu- 
mane people, to the well known sullen, and execrable 
character, of the last. They preyed upon American 
ships and American commerce, like ravenous wolves 
upon innocent and unprotected flocks. In their treat- 
ment of our noble American sailors, they seemed to 
forget that they belonged to the human race. They 
were flogged, lacerated, almost starved, and what was 
the '^unkindest cut of all^'^ insulted as belonging to a 
cowardly, imbecile, and mean nation, which had nei- 
ther the power nor disposition to protect their com- 
merce or avenge the injuries of her citizens. The 
name of an American, which was a glorions passport 
through the world, after the war of the revolution, was 
thus sunk, traduced, degraded, and sneered at by e^ve- 
ry petty naval power in Europe. England, though not 
then the decided mistress of the sea, behaved with more 
respect, and although she was then able, as she has 
since proved, to annihilate every fleet in Europe, was 
guilty of comparatively no insult or injury to Ameri- 
cans ; Englishmen knew that Americans were too much 
like themselves to " Kiss ike hand just rais'd to shed 
their blood J^^ 

But retribution soon trod with vindictive terror upon 
_the heels of transgression ; and taught transgressors 
that their ways were hard. The thunder directed by 
Trnxton, Little, Stewart, Tryon, Barry, &c. and their 
rising ofiirers and seamen, astonished these insolent 
foes, as much as the volcanoes of Etna and VesuviuJ» 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 47 

alarm the natives of Sicily and Naples. After the vic- 
tory over the Insurgente, La Vengeance, La Berceau, 
Diana, Flambeau, &c. the haughty tone of these boas- 
ing Hotspurs was lowered down even to mean supplica- 
tion. Yes, a commander of a French armed ship hav- 
ing captured an American merchant vessel, addressed 
the master of her in terms like these, — '* Capitaine, 
you see dat I now use you ver well ! Le Diable ! ! I ver 
much fear dat I be take myself , by some dem Americaine 
ship — and pray, Capitaine, do tell de Americaine officers 
dat I treat a you ver well, so dat dey may treat me ver 
well, ven 1 be prisoner too.^^* 

Decatur continued on board this favourite United 
States Frigate, advancing towards that perfection in his 
profession to which he afterwards arrived, until peace 
was negociated with France. 

The peace with France, suspended, for a time, the 
operations of the gallant little navy of the Republic. 
Some of the senior officers of the navy retired to the 
bosoms of their families, admired by the commercial 
portion of the community, and conscious themselves 
that they had served a country well, which they loved 
better than they did themselves. Although m a gov- 
ernment like ours, every man may fearlessly express 
his opinion, as to the degree of munificence that gov- 
ernment ought to bestow upon those whose lives have 
been devoted to its protection, in the field and upon the 
ocean, yet the government only can settle the question. 

* Lest this singular humiliation of an imperious officer may be 
thought too highly coloured, I would state that it was communi- 
cated by Capt. David Churchill, of Connecticut, who was himself 
priaoner to this officer. His word will never be doubted. 



48 LIFE OF 

To pour out the treasures of the nation upon fortunate 
and victorious officers in the army and na?y, at the ex- 
pense of the people who supply the treasury by their 
humble and unnoticed industry, might alarm an intelli- 
gent and free people, who vigiiantly scrutinize every 
measure of the government ; especially those which 
relate to money concerns. Monarchies, whether des- 
potic or limited, always lavish favours upon those who 
support or augment the glory of their crowns. This 
gives splendour to the few, and reduces the many to 
poverty. The recent dukedom granted to Arthur Wei- 
lesly, Duke of Wellington, would have afforded,if pro- 
perly distributed, domestic comfort to thousands of the 
English peasantry, who have been driven to insurrec- 
tion for the want of food. 

But extreme cases never fairly test a principle, any 
more than an argument that proves too much. The 
question is, whether the American Republic has not 
hitherto been too stinted in its bounty to its gallant de- 
fenders ? The fathers of our gallant navy who retired 
to the shades of private life, with garlands of laurel 
bedecking their brows, retired with them alone. The 
treasury had been enriched by their toils, their perse- 
verance and their valour — individuals rolled in wealth 
around them, by the protection they had afforded — yet 
they retired with no reward but that applause which 
their valour had entitled them to. When communing 
together, they might well say, as Washington, in his 
last communication to Futnam said, '' Republics have 
ALWAYS BEEN UNGRATEFUL." The names and vhe me- 
mories of Truxton, Little, the senior Decatur, Barry, 
the senior Morris, Tryon, Dale, Preble, and the rest of 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 49 

the fathers of our navy, are cherished and remembered 
with delight by every midshipman and lieutenant who 
learned from them the skill, the discipline, and the 
whole system of naval tactics which enabled them to 
secure to themselves the high honours and copious re- 
wards which their country has bestowed upon them. 
Whether their Preceptors are to be forgotten, by oth- 
eri, and no national token of respect to be shewn to 
Ihem, is for the national councils to decide. Even the 
mouldering manes of Washington yet remain without 
any national monument. 



so LIFE OF 



CHAPTER V. 

Progress of the American Navy — Reduction of it by Act of Con- 
gress — Amount of it in 1801 — Lieut. Decatur's views and de- 
termination—Depredations of Barbary states upon American 
commerce — Measures of the American government — Decatur 
enters into the first Mediterranean squadron as 1st Lieut, of 
the frigate Essex — his unremitting vigilance as a disciplinari- 
an — Address to his seamen. 

In the preceding chapters, the Life of Decatur has 
been traced from his birth, to what may be called tke 
first period of his naval progress from Si Midshipman to 
a first Lieutenant. In pursuit of the design of this work, 
we must now revert back to that period of our Repub- 
lican government, when the important question wheth- 
er the American navy should be augmented beyond its 
small beginning, or not, was agitated. 

It is not the business of the historian, or biographer, 
to search for the motives, or to investigate the measures 
of statesmen. This question called into exertion, the 
finest talents in our country ; and in the administration 
of John Adams, our national council embraced an as- 
semblage of men who would have done honour to any 
country. 

It was intended briefly to collate the arguments in fa- 
vour of, and against the extension of the naval force, 
commenced by the Act of 1794. The intention is re- 
linquished for the more exhilirating and delightful task 
of recording, with a pleasure which can be but poorly 
expressed by language, that the advocates for naval 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 51 

power, by the irresistible force of reason, supported by 
the most briUiant eloquence, convinced our rulers of 
the necessity of naval defence. In 1798, the navy was 
augmented from six to twenty vessels of different rates. 
It would be useless to give a list of them. In the suc- 
ceeding year they were increased to thirty -tTs^o, and, 
what ^Ae?i convinced our statesmen of the indispensable 
necesMty of a gradual increase of the navy, provision 
was made for building Six Seventy- Fours, 

But, lest the country should be burthened with pub- 
lic ships vvhich were unfitted for service, hanging like 
a dead weight, and while exhausting the public treasure, 
could add nothing to the public defence. Congress, to- 
ward the close of Mr. Adams' administration, authoris- 
ed the Executive to dispose of such vessels as should 
be deemed of the above character. The wisdom of 
this measure has since been clearly demonstrated to the 
entire satisficlion of those who are acquainted with the 
ponderous and inextinguishable debt in which Britain 
is involved, and probably will be as long as she remains 
a kingdom. Although her immense navy is that which 
gives her an almost boundless power ; yet our cautious 
statesmen knew well that it had been one great means 
of involving her in almost boundless debt. 

At the commencement of the administration of Tho- 
^lAS Jefferson, in 1 801 , our Ptepublic was at peace with 
all the powerful nations in the world ; of course large 
standing armies upon land, which had no enemy upon 
land to conquer ; and large fleets upon the ocean, 
which had no hostile fleets to encounter, were deemed 
inconsistent with the public interest. The voice of the 



52 LIFE OF 

people called for an economical expenditure of the 
public treasure, and chose rather to see the national 
debt discharged, than to see it increased by any splendid 
projects for the gratification of national or individual 
ambition. That portion of the public ships which was 
adjudged useless to the nation, was sold, and converted 
into merchantmen. The policy of that measure is no 
longer doubted. 

But the determination of the administration, wholly 
to suspend the building of the Seventy-Fours, when 
mnterialsto a very large amount had been accumulated 
for that purpose, disappointed and almost disheartened 
the friends of an efficient naval power. It had recently 
been seen what a very small naval force had accom- 
plished in the naval warfare with France, then the sec- 
ond naval power in the world. It had been seen, and 
it had been felt, what an immense augmentation of na- 
tional wealth had been secured, and what a vast amount 
of individual property had been saved from sacrifice by 
our gallant countrymen, with a tew armed ships, who 
carried our arms where they found our enemies. 

In this warfire, as already shewn, the senior and ju- 
nior Decatur had taken an active part, although neither 
of them had acquired those laurels which the one, in 
the highest, and the other, from the lowest, to the high- 
est but one in the grade of officers, had sought to obtain. 
The father retired ; but the son still adhered to that pro- 
fession for which he seemed so peculiarly designed, and 
in which he was destined to act so conspicuous a part. 

The following ships, in 1801, after the reduction of 
the navy composed the whole naval force of the Re- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. ' 53 

public— United States Frisrate forty-four guns— the 
President, Constitution, and Philadelphia, of the same 
force ; the Chesapeake of thirty-six guns, the Constel- 
lation, Congress, and New York of the same force ; 
the Boston, of thirty-two guns, the Essex, Adams, 
John Adams, and General Greene, of the same force. 

With these few public ships, and which were under 
the necessity of undergoing, previously, frequent re- 
pairs, was the American Republic to depend upon her 
rank upon the ocean. It was a hard case — but Stephen 
Decatur was never born to despair ; nor was he born 
to despair of the naval glory of America. He had a 
mind, capable of foreseeing the future greatness of his 
country, and a heart big enough to encounter all 
the dangers which might be endured in advancing it? 
glory. 

When he entered into the naval service, it was not 
done merely to wear an epaulette upon his shoulder, 
or a sword by his side, to excite the unmeaning admira- 
tion, and stupid stare of the rabble. — He had a country 
to save, and her injuries to avenge. He knew full well 
that the service into which he had entered, was a ser- 
vice pregnant with peril, and encircled with dan- 
ger. This consideration, which would have in- 
duced a timid mind to retire to the peaceful shades of 
private repose, only served to stimulate him to pursue 
the hazardous {>ath which he had entered. Although 
at this period he migiit have left the navy with the re- 
putatio!) of an accomplished young officei*, yet this 
would have been too humble tame for him. And yet, 
it is not doing justice to his character to say that person- 
al fame was his only object. He was a sincere lover 
5* 



54 LIFE OF 

of his country ; and was determined, whether in a hum- 
ble or exulted station, to defend its rights, and secure 
its independence as far as his own exertions could ac- 
complish that great object. 

The little American Navy had but a short respite 
from action, after the arduous duty it had performed in 
the predatory warfare carried on against American 
commerce by the French, until seasonable chastise- 
ment induced them to make a peace with America. The 
class of officers of Decatur's grade had, in that contest, 
began, and well bngan their naval education. They 
had acquired that practical knowledeje of naval tactics 
which qualified them to move in more exalted stations ; 
and the country may now congratulate itself that an op- 
portunity was then presented to call into operation the 
skill and the valour of the youthful pupils of the Amer- 
ican Navy. 

To every historian, the history of the barbarous, 
cruel, and sometimes destructive warfire, which the 
Barbary states, bordering upon the Mediterranean, 
have, for centuries past carried on against the whole 
commercial world, is perfectly familiar. It is left al- 
most wholly to conjecture to determine why nations, 
powerful upon the ocean, have so long permitted the 
property of their subjects to become a sacrifice, and 
their subjects themselves to become the victims of these 
merciless hordes of inhuman wretches. The little 
kingdoms of Morocco, Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis, ever 
since the discovery of the magnetic needle has so im- 
mensely extended the commerce of the world, have 
preyed upon that commerce, and made miserable 
llayes of those who carried it on. Not sufficiently 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 55 

powerful to draw forth the vindictive punishment of 
great naval powers, they have, nevertheless, been pow- 
erful enough to plunder merchant vessels of all nations, 
and reduce their crews to horrid bondage. Had the 
sanguinary and powerful monarchies of Europe, instead 
of contending for each others' crowns, and encroaching 
upon each other's dominions, have reduced these fero- 
cious sons of Ishmael, and worshippers of Mahomet, to 
obedience and fear, they woulcl far better have served 
the cause of humanity. It seems to have been reserv- 
ed for the American Repubhc, situated more than three 
thousand miles from these enemies of all mankind, to 
reduce them to complete submission — or that submission 
which is occa-^ioned by /ear. Indeed, there is no other 
way for th^t portion of the world called Christian^ to 
secure itself from the disciples o^ Mahomet, but by ex- 
citing their fear. They have such a deadly and impla- 
cable hatred against Christians, that they think they 
render the most acceptable service to their tutelar dei- 
ty by immolating them upon the blood-stained altars of 
Mahomet. The most solemn treaties that can be ne- 
gociated with them are bonds no stronger than a rope of 
sand, unless they are compelled to regard them by a 
force sufficient to menace them into a compliance with 
its provisions. 

At the commencement of the nineteenth century, 
American commerce was expanded over the world. 
Much of it was spread upon the bosom of the Mediter- 
ranean, within the reach of those contemptible Barba- 
ry states already mentioned. Encouraged by the sup- 
position that the American Republic, situated as they 
supposed in a wilderness across an immense ocean. 



56 LIFE OF 

would afford no protection to its adventurous merchants, 
they preyed upon them with impunity. Having long 
received tribute from nations which they knew to be 
powerful, they supposed Americans to be the last peo- 
ple on earth who would dare assail the Turkish cres- 
cent. Their vessels and cargoes were considered as 
fair plunder, and the only way to redeem her citizens 
from the most miserable bondage which the diabolical 
cruelty of Mahometans could inflict upon Christians, 
was supposed to be by paying an exorbitant ransom. 

The American government, adopted a sentiment 
worthy of its rising greatness, that the "oahole community 
is degraded when one of its members suffers. Ca-^ting 
an indignant frown across the Atlantic, and over the 
Mediterranean, it beheld at home its little gallant na- 
ry, and saw its officers and searaen impatiently panting 
for naval glory, and for an opportunity to pour out ven- 
geance against these unsanctified heathen — these spoil- 
ers of unprotected innocence — these butcherers of 
mankind. Disdaining to supplicate for favour or for- 
bearance from those whom they could drive from im- 
perious insolence to humble submission, they scorned 
the very idea of paying tribute, unless it was at the 
mouth of the cannon. If the world once paid tribute 
to Caesar, it was because Caspar had power to enforce 
it. The American government, knew too well the no. 
ble pride of Americans, to see them paying tribute to 
miserable Moors, Algerines, Tripolitans, and Tunisians. 
There is a real dignity in graceful submission to irre- 
sistible po\yer; there is a kind of pkasure in obedi- 
ence when paid to a great potentate ; but to see real 
power, sinking down before arrogaat weakness, as it 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 57 

cannot be endured by a gentleman, neither ought it to 
be endured by an independent nation. At this period 
the common sentiment of Americans was 
"Millions for Defence — not a cent for Tribute." 
It was uttered by the faltering tongue of age, and it 
hung upon the lisping lips of infants. 

Decatur, if not already in his glory, clearly saw the 
shining path that led to it. He had not that untutored 
and blustering courage which sometimes, by fortunate 
circumstances, crowns a rash fool with laurels, but hai 
that cool, regulated and scientific fortitude, which a! 
most invariably carries forward a great man to tempo- 
ral fume. If an hackneyed expression is admissible up- 
on a subject so elevated, it might be said that Decatur 
was born to achieve victories '•'• secundem artem,^ He 
did not wish to leave to the uncertain and variable for- 
tune of war, those conquests which are to be obtained 
by systematic, and regulated courage. At this period 
of his life he had acquired the first rudiments of naval 
tactics. He had studied his profession thoroughly, and 
was well prepared for admission to the practice of it. 

The first squadron fitted out for the Mediterranean 
was placed under the command of Commodore Dale, 
who was amongst the earliest Post- Captains appointed 
by Congress. Decatur was ordered to the Essex Frig- 
ate as her first lieutenant. He had for some time en- 
joyed 'r>\\ the blandishments of fashionable life, and mov- 
ed in its most exalted circles. He had participated in 
all the charms of refined society, and, delighted him- 
self, he imparted delight to his associates. But he had 
higher views than those which limit the mind of the 
mere man of fashion. That effeminacy which is aU 



58 LIFE OP 

most invariably produced by a devotion to the unmean- 
ing ceremony of modern high life and fashionable 
amusements, could not impose their paralyzing effecti 
upon this ardent child of fame. He hailed the lime 
when he was removed from the pretty amusement of 
pacing the parlour, to the more manly duty of pacing 
the deck. 

The duty of a first Lieutenant on board of a frigate, 
is vastly more arduous and difficult than those who arc 
unacquainted with naval discipline imagine. Although 
not in absolute command, it is to him the Captain looks, 
in the first instance, for the regulation of the ship, and 
to him the crew are perpetually looking for instruction 
in discipline, a«d in tbeir duty.* Every thing is to be 
reduced to perfect system, and nothing must be left to 
accident or chance. The economy of a ship of war 
most nearly resembles that of a perfect piece of ma- 
chinery ;— the parts must all move in unison, and must 
operate upon each other according to the original de- 
sign. To be sure, a single ship or a fleet are both lia- 
ble to be encountered by the elements as well as by 
enemies ; and although they can conquer the latter* 
they are sometimes compelled to bow to the irresistible 
power of the former. It would border upon a truism 
to say that the utmost exertion of human skill and en- 
ergy, are feeble when compelled to struggle against the 
decrees of that Power which " ridos upon the wings of 

* Commodore Decatur when he afterwards captured the Ma- 
cedoQian, thus speaks of his first Lieut. W. H. Allen.—" To hi* 
unremitted exertions in disciplinini^ the crew, is to be imputed 
the obvious superiority of our §;unftery, exhibited in the result of 
fkis contest." 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 59 

mia;bty winds" and agitates the bosom of the mighty 
de^p. Even in the perilous hour when " rude Boreas 
blustering railer" seems to hold uncontrolled dominion 
ec the watery element, and to defy the efforts of man, 
ere, order and system is to be observed, and, even 
when sinking in a wrecked ship, an American seaman 
chooses to go down, stationed at his quarters. But 
when approaching an enemy — clearing ship for action 
— beating to quarters — and di^^charging all the minute 
duties which, separately considered, would seem to a 
landsman too trifling to detail, but which, in the result, 
produced such a tremendous effect, the utmost order 
and most perfect system must be unremittingly observ- 
ed. 

Lieutenant Decatur, when he entered the Essex 
Frigate, brought with him, not only the most undaunt- 
ed courage, but the practical skill of an accomplished 
naval disciplinarian. He also brought with him the 
manners and deportment of a gentleman — officer. He 
knew, in the sphere in which he moved, he had a right 
to command, and to enforce obedience ; but he chose 
rather to have the noble fellows in the ship submit to 
their duty through voluntary choice, than by powerful 
coercion. He possessed the admirable faculty of infu- 
sing into the minds of seamen, the ardour that inspir- 
ed his own exalted heart, and of rendering the strict, 
and sometimes severe duty of his men, their highest 
pleasure. It might be hazardous, to say that no other 
young officer in the navy possessed all these qualities ; 
but it is fearlessly asserted that no one pos'sessed them 
in a higher degree than Lieut. Decatur. 

Assiduously employed in preparing the Essex for the 



60 tIFE OP 

first important armed expedition from the new to the 
old world, he thus addressed the whole-souled tars of 
the ship : — " Comrades — We are now about to embark 
upon an expedition, -which may terminate in our sudden 
deaths^ our perpetual slavery, or our immortal glory. 
The event is left for futurity to determine. The first 
quality of a good seaman, is, personal courage, — the 
second, obedience to orders, — the third, fortitude under 
silverings ; to these may be added, an ardent love of coun- 
try. I need say no more — / am confident you possess 
them all.^^ Soch an address as this, from such a man as 
Lieut. Decatur, to such men as American seamen, some 
of whom had recently been led to victory by Truxton, 
and all panting for fame, must have operated like a 
shock of electricity. In a very few words, it conveyed 
the ideas of an officer, ardent in pursuit of glory — pre- 
pared for good or ill fortune — determined to be obeyed 
— ^glowing with patriotism toward his country, mingled 
with cordial affection for his men. Looking to his Cap- 
tain as his authorised commander, he was uniformly 
respectful to him, and thus set an example to his crew 
which corresponded with his previous precepts. He 
had learned the salutary lessons of obedience, before he 
aspired to the authority of commanding. 



•TEPHEN DECATUR. 61 



CHAPTER VI. 

m 

Lieut. Decatur sails in the frigate Essex to the Mediterranea», 
1801, in the first American Squadron — Hazard of this enter- 
prize — Captain Sterrett's victory in the Schooner Enterprise- 
Impatience of Lieut. Decatur in a blockading ship — He re- 
turns to America in the Essex — National glory and National 
taxes — Lieut. Decatur joins the second Mediterranean Squad- 
ron as 1st Lieut, of the frigate New York — Sails to the Medi- 
terranean — Incessant attention to duty — Returns in the New 
York to America. 

In 1801, the American squadron under command of 
Commodore Dale, weighed anchor, and left the waters 
that wash the shores of our free Republic, to carry our 
arms into the renowned Mediterranean, which laves 
the shores of the most renowned nations of ancient or 
modern centuries. Decatur had taken an affectionate 
leave of his justly venerated father, and the highly- 
refined and literary circles of his numerous friends and 
connections. It is difficult to conceive of a separation 
of friends more interesting. The dignified and patriot- 
ic father, who had spent some years in the highest sta- 
tion in the navy when contending with civilized men, 
had now to dismiss a beloved son from his arms, who 
was destined to contend with merciless barbarians, who 
are totally regardless of the laws of civilized 'warfare. 
His admiring companions of both sexes, who full well 
knew, and duly appreciated the goodness of his heart, 
and the urbanity of his manners, could hardly endure 
the thought that he should expose himself to become a 
% 



62 



LIFE OF 



victim to his thirst for fame. But his resolution was 
taken, and irrevocably fixed ;^ and the sun might as 
well have been divorced from the ecliptic as to divert 
him from his purpose. 

The reader may well pause again and reflect upon 
the immense importance, and imminent hazard of this 
expedition. To those the least acquainted with histo- 
ry, the cruel depredations of the Barbary states upon 
the whole commercial world for centuries are known, 
and the indescribable horrours of slavery amongst these 
uncivilized and inveterate followers of Mahomet, have 
always excited inefi\\ble dismay. Nations bordering 
upon them, for years, and we may say, for centuries, 
have attempted in vain to reduce them to submission ; 
and only secured themselves from their rapacity by 
paying them tribute. 

Since the year 3805, expeditions to the Mediterra- 
nean, have become familiar ; and, by our officers and 
seamen rather considered as pastime, and amusement, 
than as entering into a hazardous and doubtful contest ; 
but let it be remembered, that until 1801 no American 
armed ship or squadron had ever passed the streights 
into that sea, which had so long been infested by barba- 
rian corsairs — let it also be remembered that Stephen 
Decatur, was one of those who led the van in the ac- 
quisition of the fame which has since shone so conspicu- 
ously upon the American navy in the Mediterranean. 
This required the most consummate fortitude. It 
might then, although in a minor station, be said of De- 
catur as it was said of one of the first heroes of the re- 
volution ; — '' He dared to lead, where any dared to 



FOLLOW.'* 



STEPHEN DECATUR. GS 

No event of any deep interest occurred in the squad- 
ron in its passage to the Mediterranean. The solici- 
tude of Commodore Dale, — of the Captains, — of all the 
Lieutenants and Midshipmen, and indeed of every sea- 
man, down to the youngest boy, may well be conceived. 
From the close of the revolutionary war to that time, 
no American national ship had probably been seen 
sailing into the Mediterranean. British fleets and ships 
of every description were riding triumphant in the 
Atlantic and in that renowned sea. Flushed with the 
recent victories of the Kile and of Copenhagen, although 
at peace with the Re_»ublic, the officers would look with 
that malignant jealousy which characterises the feelings 
of Englishmen toward our countrymen, upon a little 
squadron of American ships, boldly sailing over the 
theatre of their orow glory. It co\ild hardly be expect- 
ed that that intercourse which alv^iys passes between 
armed ships of nations at peace with each other could 
be avoided. Decatur, second in conmand of the fine 
little frigate Essex would not then shrink from a visit 
from any Admiral, of any grade, whether of the -zi-hite 
red or blue, or of any Post-Captain, or Lieutenant in 
the British navy. That ship, as well as the rest of the 
squadron, was in prime condition. Such intercourse 
did pass ; and, as declared at that period, excited the 
admiration, and jealousy, although not ihen the fear, of 
the gallant ocean-warriours o? the ^' fast anchored isle. ^^ 

Commodore Dale conducted his squadron into the 
Mediterranean, without delay — declared the port of 
Tripoli to be in a state of blockade ; and, according to 
the old principles of blockade, laid his squadron before 
the port to enforce it. The thunder-struck Tripoli- 



^4 LIFE OF 

tans remained in harbour with all their force, not dar- 
ing to risk an encounter with a new and unexpected 
enemy. This put a sudden end to their ravages upon 
American commerce, which, for eighteen months pre- 
Tious, had been committed with impunity. 

But the inactive, though vigilant duty of blockading 
an enemy, although of superior force, suited not the 
ardent and adventurous spirit of Decatur. It was his 
business however, to obey the command of his then su- 
periors. The wary and cautious mind of Commodore 
Dale was well convinced, that the little squadron under 
his command was only calculated to afford protection 
to his countrymen, not to commence offensive opera- 
tions against their enemies. Indeed, his instructions 
would not permit him to act offensively, as appeared 
from the conduct of the gallant and never to be forgot- 
ten Sterrett, commander of the gchooner Enterprize, 
belonging to his squadron. As this event is mentioned 
as connected with the squadron in which Decatur sail- 
ed, and, was the^rs^ brilliant achievement of the Ame- 
rican navy in the Mediterranean, it will be described, 
as nearly as it can be recollected in the language of the 
purser, when relating it to the writer a few years since. 
— " Lying off the island of Malta, so celebrated in an- 
cient and modern history, a Tripolitan cruiser bore down 
upon our schooner, and gave us a broadside. It was 
instantly returned. For two glasses [two hours] the 
contest was terrible as can be imagined. She lowered 
the Turkish crescent, to the stars and stripes — but the 
cheers for victory had scarcely ended, when the cruis- 
er hoisted her red flag, and poured into us another 
broadside. The contest was renewed with renewed 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 65 

desperation. She again struck ; and when Capt. Ster- 
rettwas approaching her, it was a third time renewed. 
The indignation manifested by the captain and crew is 
indescribable. I left my station as purser of the ship, 
was handing cartridges to the men, and distinctly heard 
the Captain exclaim, " Sitik the damned treucherous 
creatures to the bottom.''^ The slaughter became 
dreadful on board the corsair, and the commander pros- 
trated himself on the side of his ship, and, with his own 
hands flung his own flag into the sea. Capt. Sterrett, 
being instructed not to make any prize, from his quar- 
ter deck, ordered the perfidious Turk to throw alibis 
guns, ammunition and arms of every kind into the sea, 
and tell his master this was the only tribute he would 
ever after receive from Americans." 

Such was the interesting relation of a spectator and 
an actor in ihi^ first and signal victory of an American 
ship over a barbarian corsair. Its authenticity cannot 
be doubted, as it is confirmed in all the material circum- 
stances, by the publications cf that period. While the 
reader feels indignant at the perfidy of the Tripolitaas, 
he cannot doubt their desperate courage in this bloody 
conflict. But the consequences to the vanquished bar- 
barians, when they returned into port, shows the dif- 
ference between an humane and generous nation, and 
a despotic, and vindictive power. The former would 
receive, even with applause, a defeated commander 
who had bravely defended his ship. Not so with the 
ferocious descendants of Ishmael, whose hands are 
against every man, not only against all the rest of man- 
kind, but against their own inhuman clan. The Bashaw 
of Tripoli would rather approve than condemn the per- 
6 * 



^Q LIFE OF 

fidy of his captain towards Capt, Sterrett— but to be 
conquered by a Christian — to strike the flag of Mahom- 
et to a sect, deemed by him as only dogs, could not be 
endured. The miserable and forlorn commander, 
without even the form of a trial, with his wounds still 
bleeding, received five hundred bastinadoes, and was 
compelled to ride through the streets upon an ass to 
excite the furions contempt of the enraged populace. 

This victory, although it might now be deemed a tri- 
fle, when compared with the tremendous conflicts which 
have since given so many victories to American fleets 
and ships, was nevertheless of immense importance to 
our country. Such consternation was produced by the 
Iqss of the corsair, and the terrible punishment of the 
commander, that the alarmed Tripolitans deserted the 
corsairs fitted for sea, nor could crews be found to sup- 
ply those which were preparing for service. This 
first victory of Sterrett and his crew produced an ef- 
fect upon Tripolitans, even greater than Hull's Jirst 
victory did upon Englishmen. 

While Captain Sterrett was thus signalizing himself 
in a contest with barbarians, Decatur, as first Lieuten- 
ant of the Essex, was compelled to perform tbe duty 
belonging to a mere blockading ship. He was too gen- 
erous to envy this gallant champion the laurels he had 
gained by his valour ; but he ardently wished for an 
opportunity to emulate his valiant deeds by his own 
achievements. 

Decatur was in the situation of one of the ancient 
heroes — " Compelled to perforrfi his duty, yet anxious to 
gratify his inclination.''^ it is undoubtedly a most for- 
tunate circumstance for the naval glory of our country. 



STEPHEN DECATl^R. 67 

that our early commanders in the navy exercised cau- 
tion in avenging the injuries received from our ene- 
mies upon the ocean. Had rashness marked their 
measures, they might indeed have shared with the glo- 
ry of those who have gloriously fallen in " unequal 
combat ;" but this would have secured no lasting ben- 
efit to their country in whose cause they had embark- 
ed, and whose permanent interest it was their duty to 
pursue. Furthermore, the commanders of armies and 
of fleets have no rights zvantonly, to sacrifice the lives 
of the men, who have either voluntarily or coercively 
been placed under their command. Men are not am- 
munition to be expended at the pleasure of an ambi- 
tious leader, who might gain applause by sacrificing 
them as victims to his unhallowed ambition. Commo- 
dore Dale knew too well th'?,amount of his force to ad- 
vance into a contest where so many chances were 
against him. Had he commanded the force which one 
of his successors, Preble, afterwards commanded, his 
name might now be as glorious as his. But he accom- 
plished the great object of his government in sending 
him, with the first American squadron into the Mediter- 
ranean — the protection of American commerce in that 
sea. Gne of his ofiicers, Capt. Sterrett, commanding 
the Enterprise, was compelled to fight his ship single 
handed ; and he did it to admiration. Had Decatur 
been placed in bis situation, he would have displayed 
the same courage ; but he was reserved for a future 
display of that noblest of virtues. 

Commodore Dale, having accompHshed the object 
for which he uas dispatched with his squadron to the 
Mediterraneanj returned with it to America. Lieut. 



68 LIFE OF 

Decatur returned in the Essex ; and was received by 
his friends and countrymen with those demonstrations 
of respect which might be expected from the charac- 
ter he had previously estabhshed. He had made his 
entry upon the theatre of his future glory. He had 
received occular demonstration of the predominant 
sentiment of the Mahometans of Africa — inveterate 
malice against his countrymen, and a determination, if 
within their power, to extirpate Americans from that 
sea upon which an immense portion of their commerce 
was carried on. Hi had made farther advances in his 
favorite profession, and had studied the character of the 
ferocious enemy he had afterwards to encounter. 

The American government had made no essential 
additions to its navy in the absence of Decatur — that is, 
to that part of it which w?c- calculated for distant expe- 
ditions. Not a hull of a Seventy-four had yet been laid, 
and not a single frigate had yet been added to the little 
gallant American navy. Although as previously men- 
tioned, provision had been made for building six line of 
battle ships, aud the materials partially collected, the 
national authorities did not then see tit to prosecute this 
noble endeavour to afford this mode of pioteclion for 
American commerce and American territory. Nation- 
al economy was then, as it ever ought to be, the fash- 
ionable doctrine. That little, stinted economy which 
will sacrifice a future, although an almost certain good, 
to save a little present expense, is by no means meaned 
here ; but that economy which was calculated to save 
the Republic from that never-endmg, that constantly 
increasing, that load of taxes, which tenrs from the 
hard earnings of patient industry, almost its v. hole 



STEPHEN BEGAT (JR. 69 

amount to increase the phantom of glory. O^e of the 
best kings whoever filled the throne of the Bourbons, 
when urged by the most ambitious minister of any king, 
to adopt some splendid project to advance the glory of 
his reign, answered — " I have no right to advance my 
glory by distressing my subjects. I wish for no great- 
er glory than to see every one of my happy subjects, 
have a fowl in his pot every day." I must here be ex- 
cused for introducing the language of a British subject ; 
and no people on earth are fonder of national glory 
than the subjects of George IV. 

" We can inform Jonathan what are the inevitable 
consequences of being too fond of glory. Taxes upon 
every article which enters into the mouth, or covers 
the back, oris placed under the foot; taxes upon every 
thing which is pleasant to see, hear, feel, smell or taste ; 
taxes upon warmth, light or locomotion ; taxes on ev- 
ery thing on earth, and the waters under the earth — of 
every that comes from abroad, or is grown at home ; 
taxes on the raw material, taxes on every fresh value 
that is added to it by the industry of men ; taxes on the 
sauce which pampers man's appetite, and the drug 
that restores him to health ; on the ermine which dec- 
orates the Judge, and the rope which hangs the crimi- 
nal ; on the poor man's salt, and the rich man's spice ; 
on the brass nails of the coffin, and the ribbands of the 
bride ; at bed, or at board, couchant or levant, we must 
pay ! The school boy whips his taxed top — the beard- 
less youth manages his taxed horse with a taxed bridle 
on a taxed road ; and the dying Englishman, pouring 
his medicine which has paid seven per cent, into a spoon 
which has paid fifteen per cent, fling* himself back up- 



70 LIFE OP 

on his chintz bed, which has paid 22 per cent. — makea 
his will on an 8Z. stamp, and expires in the arms of an 
apothecary who has paid 100/. fur the privilege of put- 
ting him to death. His whole property is then taxed 
froiii 2 to 10 per cent, besides the probate. Large 
fees are demanded for burying him in the Chancel : 
his virtues are handed down to posterity on taxed mar- 
ble ; and he is then gathered to his fathers, to be taxed 



no more. 



5>* 



Such is the language of a subject of the king of Great 
Britain who participates as much as a subject can in the 
glory of Nelson and Wellington. Americans ponder 
with inexpressible delight upon the fame of Decatur 
and Jackson ; but the tears of distress, occasioned by 
excessive taxation, thank heaven and our rulers, are 
not yet mingled with the smiles of triumph. The 
shouts of a famishing populace, following in the train of 
a returning conqueror, whose plaudits are rendered 
feeble for want of that food which has been exhausted 
by an array or a navy, can afibrd but a miserable satis- 
saction to a conquering hero, when recollecting that 
]iis glory has been acquired by robbing the people of 
the means of temporal happiness. " It was not that I 
loved Caesar less, but that 1 loved Rome more" was the 
exclamation of the magnanimous Brutus over the body 
of the ambitious and bleeding €aesar. It is not, that 
Americans are less fond of national glory, or less en- 
thusiastically cherish the memory of its heroes, than 
Englishmen, but it is because they better understand 
the nature of true national glory, — that which produ- 
ces the greatest happiness to the greatest number. 
* Edinburgh Magazine = 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 71 

If, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the 
American government had commenced the System of 
diminishing the national v\ealth, by a rapid increase of 
the navy, it might indeed, hke England, have aflbrded 
its citizen* the means of making distant conquests, and 
causing the thunder of America to reverberate in every 
latitude. Better understanding the true interest of the 
Republic, and the path to true glory, it only sought for 
sufficient power to defend our territory at home, and 
protect our commerce upon the ocean. To the ever- 
lasting glory of our rulers, they never led us into an 
offensive war, either upon land or water. Let the 
proud and imperious parliaraent of England boast of the 
wealth she can draw from the two Indies — and then 
let her be reminded of the distress, the misery and the 
agony she has spread over many of the finest portions 
of the globe, by means of her immense navy. Can the 
blood-stained history of Lord Hastings in India — the 
devastation of the whole Carnatic — the melancholy 
fate of Hyder Alii, and the Nabob of Arcott be forgot- 
ten ? And, can the distress of her own peasantry 

But we turn from the horribly disgusting subject to the 
more exhiirrating one of tracing the innocent progress 
of the American navy, and the steps by which Decatur 
reached the acme of fame by his exploits upon the 
ocean. 

After his return to America in the Essex, a small 
chasm occurred in his performance of naval service. 
Another «quadron was soon fitted for the same design 
as that in which he returned to his native country — 
protection of American commerce in the Mediterranean. 
The American government had not yet seen fit to ad- 



72 LIFE OF 

vance its naval force sufficiently to enable its naval 
commanders to act vindictively against the ferocious, 
yet contemptible Barbary states. Severe chastisement 
they most assuredly deserved ; but Tripolitans were 
permitted, a little longer, to shield themselves in fancied 
security, and vainly to imagine that Americans would 
no longer spread dismay amongst them. 

The second Mediterranean squadron was command- 
ed by the senior Commodore Morris. Lieutenant 
Decatur exercised d^ patience which his subsequent ve- 
hement, and we may say impetuous courage would lead 
the reader to suppose he did not then possess. He 
continued in the navy, under the certain presumption 
that the government of his country would shortly be 
convinced of the necessity of more energetic measures 
against the Mahometan pests that infested a sea over 
which American commerce was so much expanded, and 
so much exposed. 

In the second squadron, he sailed as 1st Lieut, of the 
frigate New York, a ship whose name no longer appears 
on our navy list. She had become nothing but a hulk, 
at the commencement of the second war between the 
American Republic and the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain, and barely escaped conflagration at Washing- 
ton, when the British forces, who had a right, by the 
principles of civilized warfare to destroy her, but who 
chose, like the ancient Vandals in devastating Greece 
and Rome, to demolish and burn some of the finest spe- 
cimens of art, and the choicest productions of science 
and literature. 

Nothing occurred in this squadron of sufficient im- 
portance to render a minute detail of its operations ne- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 73 

ce3sary ; indeed, it would be inconsistent with the 
design of this work. Decatur was almost incessantly 
employed in imparting naval instruction to the under- 
officers, and introducing that correct discipline amongst 
the seamen, which has since given such perfection to 
the naval tactics of America. The reader is referred 
to the preceding chapter for the sentiments and the 
conduct of Decatur when on board the Essex. The 
same course was continued by him on board the New 
York frigate. When he entered her, he had a crew to 
discipline, who were mostly strangers to him. But a 
good seaman sincerely respects and cheerfully obeys a 
good officer, the moment he meets him ; and although 
long service in the same ship, more strongly cements 
the bond of union between an officer and a crew, yet 
wherever Decatur was placed, such is the declaration of 
one of his own officers, — " He seemed^ as if by magiCy 
to hold a boundless sway over the very hearts of his sea- 
men at first sight.^'' 

The very nature of naval service renders it necessa- 
ry, either from promotions, different expeditions, un- 
expected danger, and numerous other causes, to re- 
move Post-Captains, Masters commandant, LieuteiranfSi 
and perhaps Midshipmen from the ships in which they 
had previously exercised command and performed du- 
ty, and with the crews of which they had become fa- 
miliarised. Although it may become indispensably ne- 
cessary for the government to pursue this course, that 
necessity does not in the least diminish the difficulty it 
often imposes upon officers. It is admitted that an offi- 
cer can generally enforce obedience to his commands 
7 



74 LIFE OF 

over men whose names and faces are as much unknown 
to him as those of the enemy he may have to encounter ; 
but that obedience which is solely the result of fear of 
punishment, is vastly different from that which pro- 
ceeds from respect and attachment. 

Nothing occurred to Lieut. Decatur, any more than 
to the squadron generally, in this expedition. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



75 



CHAPTER VII. 

■ .icut. Decatur ordered to take command of the brig Argus— 
Fortunate and unfortunate ships— Ideas of seamen concerning 
them— He sails in the Argus, and joins the third Mediterrane- 
an Squadron under Com. Preble — Com. Preble and the Em- 
peror of Morocco— Decatur leaves the brig Argus, and takes 
command of the schooner Enterprize — Disastrous loss of the 
frigate Philadelphia —Lieut. Decatur captures a Tripolitaa 
corsair, and calls her " Ketch Intrepid''— Rendezvous at Sy- 
racuse—Brief Sketch of Jussuif, Bashaw of Tripoli— Sufferings 
ofCapt. Bainb ridge and crew — Lieut, Decatur volunteers t© 
attempt the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia. 

After Lieut. Decatur returned to America in the se- 
cond Mediterranean Squadron, he was ordered by the 
Navy Department to take command of the brig Argus, 
It might be deemed rather fanciful by a grave and fas- 
tidious reader to remark, that it was a fortunate circum- 
stance with Lieut. Decatur, at this period of his event- 
ful life, that he had never yet held any command in a 
disgraced ship. Indeed there never has been but 07ie 
disgraced ship in the American navy. But more of 
this hereafter. Although seamen may be ranked with 
Ihe most gallant and brave of men, I believe the fact 
will not be denied, that no class of men are so much in- 
fluenced by ideas of fate and destiny, more harshly call- 
ed superstition. If a merchant vessel meets with an 
untoward accident, even at its launch, it is remember- 
ed by the sons of Neptune, and often decides their con- 
duct in regard to her. If she has been partially wreck- 
ed at sea, robbed by an enemy, lost many of he^r men 



76 LIFE OF 

by contagious sickness, or has often been driven ou 
«hore by gales, it is sometimes difficult to ship a crew 
for her. This sentiment is, if possible, more prevalent 
with the seamen in the naval, than in the merchants^ 
service. With a high sense of honour, and proud of 
the name of an American, they will hardly enlist under 
an officer who has even been unfortunate— mnc\i less if 
he has been degraded. This almost usaccountable in-' 
fluence has an equal control over their minds in regard 
to the ship. 

Decatur had acted as Lieutenant on board the United 
Slaies frigate in the short naval warfare with France, 
and in the Essex in the early stages of the warfare with 
Tripoli. Although these frigates had not then acquired 
the fame which is now attached to their names, they 
had been almost constantly in commission since they 
were first fitted for sea, and had rendered services 
which can hardly be estimated. The Argus, to which 
he was ordered as commander, bears a proud name with 
American seamen. 

The Argus was a fine vessel of her class, mounting 
eighteen guns. Although the command of a Seventy- 
four, or a frigate gives to the commander a superior 
rank to him who commands a sloop of war, yet the du- 
ty and responsibility is no less important. The same 
system is to be pursued — the same discipline exercised, 
and tha same obe^iience to be shewn. 

It is beheved that at the time Decatur took the com- 
mand of the Argus, the rank of Master-commandant, 
had not been established in the Aynerican navy ; for he 
took command of her as Lieutenant. The fact however 
is immaterial, as the duties devolving upon him were 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 77 

the same. To one wholly unacquainted with the sys- 
tem of naval tactics, it would excite astonishment to 
observe the inimitable precision with which every ope- 
ration is performed on board an armed ship. To des- 
cribe it, would require a volume larger than some of 
our systems of military exercise. 

Lieut. Decatur had become master of his profession ; 
and the Argus, being the first vessel of which he was 
first in command, he could introduce on board of her 
that discipline, which by unremitted exertions for six 
years he had become so perfectly acquainted with him- 
self. Although he was ordered to surrender the com- 
mand of the Argus to Lieut. Hull* upon his arrival in 
the Mediterranean, and take the command of the schoo- 
ner Eaterprise, then commanded by that gallant and 
accomplished officer, yet he did not, in the least, re- 
mit his accustomed vigilance in preparing his crew for 
the arduous duty which they would probably have to 
discharge under another commander. Stephen De- 
catur, however much he might wish to signalize him- 
self by personal achievements, had no views unconnec- 
ted with the gloryof every officer, seaman, and ship, in 
the American navy. He felt, and he acted, as if every 
one of the two iirst were his brothers, and every one of 
the last ought to swim or sink in defending the rights, 
and in advancing the glory of his country. 

Numerous interestmg incidents, of no great impor- 
tance, however, might be mentioned, which took place 
in the passage of the Argus acro;'s the Atlantic, and up 
the Mediterranean. But why swell the volume with 
the minor events of a man's life, when it is so exceed- 

* Now Commodore Hull, 
7* 



7S LIFE OP 

infijly fertile with those of a more exalted character ? 
When he arrived in that sea which was shortly to re- 
sound with the fame of his gallant, and I may say roman- 
tic, and perhaps desperate, " deeds of noble daring,^^ he 
joined, as previously ordered, the Squadron of Com. 
PREBLE. 

In the very brief and imperfect notices which have 
been made of the rise, progress, and achievements of 
the navy of the Republic, as connected with the life of 
Decatur, we now have reached the second period of 
the naval renown of our country, as the period of 
Tkuxton's command may emphatically be denominated 
the^rs^ Yes, Truxton may be called the Father, .is 
Preble may be denominated the Preceptor, of the bril- 
liant constellation of gallant ocean-warfiours, who now 
grace the Naval Register of our country. 

It would be a most gratefil task for the writer of 
these imperfect sketches of the life and character of 
Stephen Decatur, if he were able, to blend with them 
a suitable eulogy on the character of Prkble, his favor- 
ite compander. But any language he could use, 
would lag far behind the feelings of those who served 
under that truly great naval officer, and would — 

" Fall in the ear profitless as water in a sieve." 

Preble was, like Decatur, bred a seaman. He early 
saw the gathering storm which hung, in lowering dark- 
ness, over the wide spread, and rapidly spreading com- 
merce of America. He knew it must be protected or 
withdrawn from the ocean, the highway of nations, 
which, like the highways on land, is infested with rob- 
bers. He did not sink down in despair, and lament that 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 79 

the merchants of the Republic should be suddenly driv- 
en from the seas, but early tendered his service to hig 
country to aid in protecting it. His active services did 
not escape the notice of a government, ever wishful to 
bestow its honours upon those whose merit richly de- 
served them. The eyes of the nation were fixed upon 
Preble as the leader of that gallant band of heroes who 
were destined to avenge the injuries sustained by our 
countrymen from the wretched descendants of Ishmael, 
and the merciless followers of Mahomet. The choice 
of him, for that gigantic undertaking, evinced the pen- 
etrating sagacity of our government. 

Fearful of involving the nation in an endless and in^ 
creasing load of taxes by a ponderous navy, our rulers 
had thus far only extended protection to our Med- 
iterranean trade. But the measures of mildness to- 
wards the infernal hordes upon the Barbary coast, on- 
ly increased their barbarous ravages and injplacable 
cruelty against chri.^tian merchants. More efficient 
measures were resolved upon by the American govern- 
ment, ant pacific language was changed to that of open 
defiance. 

The year 1803 forms an era in the history of the 
American Navy. A small force was still in the Medi- 
terranean, and the accomplished, energetic and gallant 
Preble was appointed to the command of a squadron 
consisting of the Constitution, 44 guns — Philadelphia, 
44— Argus, 18— Syren, 16— Nautilus, 16— Vixen, 16 
— and Enterprize 14. Twenty-five years ago, such a 
squadron as this, coming from the American States, 
would have excited the sneers of every naval power ia 
Europe ; but fifteen years ago they saw this little 



80 LIFE OF 

squadron accomplish what the largest fleets had never 
done. 

Corn. Preble hoisted his broad pendant on board 
the frigate Constitution. Lieut. Decatur, as he had 
been previously ordered to do, surrendered the com- 
marid of the Argus, and took command of the schooner 
Enterprise, which, when commanded by the gallant 
Sterrett had been so distinguished. At the time Com, 
Preble arrived at Gibraltar, he found that the subjects 
of the Emperor of Morocco, in Moorish frigates, had 
encroached upon the rights of American commerce. 
Although his primary object was to administer salutary 
chastisement to the Tripolitans, yet, *' 071 his way^'' 
to his ultimate destination, he concluded to pay a visit 
to the Emperor. Before his arrival, Commodores 
Rodgers and Bainbridge had indicated to this Prince of 
th6 Moors what he might expect from Americans if his 
subjects continued their depredations upon American 
commerce. But this imperious representative of the 
Sultan in Africa, seemed then to care little or nothing 
for a distant, and by him a despised power, although 
his armed ships had been captured and detained by its 
commanders. He or his officers had ordered all Amer- 
ican merchantmen to be detained, and some had actual- 
ly been seized. Com. Preble had ordered his squad- 
ron to bring in all Moorish vessels. Thus, in few 
words, stood affnirs with Morocco, when, on the 5th 
October, 1803, Decatur's new commander, the decided 
Preble, anchored the noble Constitution, and the little 
Nautilus in the bay, within half a mile of the strong 
circular battery in the city of Tangiers. He was joined 
by the frigates New York, and John Adams, Com. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 81 

Rodgers. It was a proud sight for American seamen, 
to behold this httle squadron riding at anchor before an 
Emperor's powerful battery, waiting the event either 
of a pacific interview, or a tremendous contest. Every 
ship was kept clear for action, and every man at his 
quarters night and day, — every thought was fixed upon 
the decision of Com. Preble and the emperor ofMo- 
rocco. 

Upon the 6th, the Emperor made his appearance 
with 20,000 troops on the beach, in full view of the 
squadron. After an exchange of salutes from the 
squadron and the battery, the Emperor, instead of send- 
ing forth the messengers of death, in hot shot and grape, 
sent a present of bullocks, sheep, .and fowls. Butaa 
the first would have excited no fear, the last created 
but little joy. It was no time for ceremony. — Preble 
was a man of business and his busiae-s must be done ; 
and that without delay — he had more important con- 
cerns with the Bashaw of Tripoli, than he had with the 
potent Emperor of Morocco. Upon the 8th the Em- 
peror condescended again to look upon Com. Preble's . 
little squadron. Upon the 9th, the American Consul* 

*This was the venerable James Simpson, who was appointed 
by President VVASHiNCToif as consul at Morocco, soon alter the 
organization of the American government. He scarcely saw his 
native country again to the day of his death in 1820. He had 
erected a beautiful mansion-house upon a commanding eminence 
in the vicinity of Tangier, which he dignified by the name of 
Mount Washington. While the author of these sketches was 
writing a description of the Desert of Zahara, of the manners, 
habits and customs of the Wandering Arabs, and of the Western 
coast of Africa, from tiie narration of the worthy and ingenuo^is 



82 LIFE OF 

was permitted to communicate with the Commodore, 
and assured him, that all American ships detained 
should be released, by order of the Emperor, and that 
the Emperor would give audience to the Commodore 
on shore the next day. 

Upon the 10th, the undaunted Commodore, having 
given orders to the commander of his squadron in his 
absence, to prepare for the worst, went ashore with 
only four attendants,* in full uniform, and completely 
armed. He was as fearless on shore in Africa, as he 
was on board of his squadron in the bay of Tangiers. 
His admiring countrymen in the squadron, were g^izing 
with anxious and silent expectation for the result of the 
interview ; but the Commodore and his suite, of which 
the American consul was one, walked through the 
double hies of Moorish dragoons with as much compo- 
sure as they would have paced the quarter-deck of the 

Capt. Robbins, so long a slave to the Arabs, he often mentioned 
this venerable consul as the most benevolent friend of Christian 
slaves and American seamen. It was to the exertions of this ex- 
cellent man at Tanfrier, and of that pattern of humanity, Hon. 
William Wills ire, at Mosjadore, that so many wretched 
slaves have been restored to freedom and happiness. After fin- 
ishing the volume, I suggested to Capt. Robbins the propriety of 
dedicating it to these gentlemen, and couched the dedication in 
these terras-^" Gentlemrn — permit me to offer this volume to 
you. I have, upon the ocean, endured the distress occasioned 
by the elements — upon land, the miseries inflicted by 7n«w, and 
from YOU have enjoyed the blessings of hu.nane benevolence, 
which I can repay only by lasting gratitude." A. Robbins. 

* Capt. Charles Morris attended the Commodore as his Secre- 
tary, and communicated these and many more particulars. 



STEPHEK DECATUR. 



83 



frigate Constitution which was prepared to defend them, 
or to spread dismay amongst the Moors. The Com- 
modore was requested, not ordered, to lay aside his arms, 
which he promptly declined. He, with the venerable 
American Consul, approached the Emperor who was 
arrayed in all the magnificent splendour of an eastern 
despot, and surrounded by an immense retinue of prin- 
ces, guards, and slaves. The Emperor asked the Com- 
modore if he was not in the fear of being detained as a 
slave. *' No, Sir, you dare not detain me— but if you 
should presume to do it, my squadron now in your full 
view, would lay your battery, your city and your cas- 
tles in ruins, in one hour.'^ The awe-struck emperor, 
immediately gave orders for the restoration of all 
American ships, and confirmed the treaty of 1 786. The 
Commodore revoked his orders to capture Moorish 
vessels, and thus, in a few days brought one of the most 
powerful of the Barbary States to the terms of peace. 

Decatur, in the schooner Enterprise had for some time 
laid oflf the island of Malta, preparing for the contest 
which he concluded must be entered into when Com. 
Preble was ready to direct his whole forces against 
Tripoli. He had infused into the bosoms of his officers 
and seamen the noble ardour that inspired his own. 
Commodore Preble, having settled his affairs with the 
Emperor of Morocco, was now preparing to accomplish 
the great object of his expedition — the complete sub- 
jugation of Tripoli. 

During this period, Capt. Bainbridge, in the frigate 
Philadelphia, (whose first commander was Decatur's 
father) with the Vixen Sloop of war, laid before Tri- 
poli, and, with this small force, completely blockaded 



84 LIFE OF 

that important port. On the last day of October, the 
Philadelphia, lying about fifteen miles from Tripoli, 
Capt. Bainbridge discovered a large ship with Tripoli- 
tan colours, between him and the shore. He immedi- 
ately gave chase to her, and continued the pursuit, un- 
til the ship entered the port for safety. In beating out 
of the harbour, this noble frigate struck violently upon 
an unseen and an undescribed rock. It is wholly im- 
possible to conceive what must have been the feelings 
of the gallant Bainbridge, and his no less gallant offi- 
cers and crew, upon the happening of this dreadful 
disaster. He was even in a worse predicament than 
the heroic Trowbridge in the Culloden upon the 
ground. He was compelled to remain immoveable ; 
and, unable to aid, was only a witness of one of the 
splendid victories of Nelson. Bainbridge and his crew, 
while the frigate floated, would have fought all Tripoli 
single-handed. But his irreversible fate was decided 
•—the ship could not then be moved, and he was com- 
pelled, when an overwhelming Tripolitan force assail- 
ed him, to strike the banner of his country to the cres- 
cent of Mahomet, and, with his noble crew, to be re- 
duced to the most abject slavery, which the most mer- 
ciless of human beings can inflict upon civilized man. 
The whole crew exceeded three hundred Americans ; 
and they were immediately immured in a dungeon. In 
this crew were Bainbridge^ Porter^ Jones, and Biddle, 
— names familiar to every American who knows or ap- 
preciates the glory of their country. And here I have 
the infinite satisfaction of recording an instance of mu- 
tual attachment, perhaps without a parallel in the his- 
tory of the most romantic aifection. Capt. Bainbridge, 



«TEPHEN DECATUR. 



85 



his officers and crew, now reduced, in a degree, to 
equality, by common misery, pledged themselves to 
each other, never to separate alive ; but to endure one 
common bondage, or enjoy together one general eman- 
cipation. The friends of the accomplished Biddle of- 
fered the sum demanded for his ransom, which he de- 
cidedly refused to accept. This noble crew were con- 
fined in a tower which overlooked the bay of Tripoli. 
They beheld their gallant countrymen, wafting trium- 
phantly in their floating bulwarks, and knew that the 
day of their redemption would one day come. They 
knew that a Preble, a Decatur, and the whole band of 
unconquerable warriours from the ''land of their home," 
would not forget Uiem.. They knew what they had 
done in Morocco and what they coidd do in Tripoh. 
Yet might they well say with the first of geniuses, — 
'' Disguise thyself as thou wilt— still, slavery, thou art 
a bitter cup." They could not help thinking of their 
country— their friends ; and, what to an ocean-warri- 
uor perhaps is dearer than all, the laurels they wished 
to gain in chastising the diabolical wretches, who, by 
an unavoidable disaster, and not by their courage, now 
held them irj degraded subjugation. 

But we turn from a picture, coloured in the darkest 
shades of human calamity, to one of the brightest or- 
naments of the human race. Lieutenant Decatur, on 
the 14th of December sailed from Malta with the 
Schooner Enterprise, and laid his course for Tripoli. 
The Tripolitans had seen this little Schooner before, 
and the reader already knows what was the result of 
the interview. 

On the 23d, in full view of Tripoli, he engaged as 
8 



86 LIFE OF 

armed Tripolitan vessel ; and in a few minutes made 
her bis own. She was under Turkish colours and 
manned principally with Greeks and Turks, and com- 
manded by a Turkish captain. Under these circum- 
stances, the Lieutenant hesitated for some timQ wheth- 
er to detain or release the captured vessel. Upon in- 
vestigation, he found that there was on board two very 
distinguished Tripolitan officers, and that the comman- 
der of her, in the most dastardly manner, had attacked 
the Philadelphia frigate when driven on a rock. He 
farther learned that on this occasion he fought under 
false colours ; and that when the heroic but unfortu- 
nate crew of the Philadelphia could no longer resist 
the immense force brought against her, he boarded 
her ; and, with the well known ferocity of a Mahome- 
tan, plundered the officers of the captured frigate. 
Here the exalted charaoier of Decatur began to be de- 
veloped. He was then, as he ever was, a lamb to his 
friends — a lion to his enemies. He had before his 
eyes the beloved frigate which had fallen a victim to 
misfortune and to demons. But, adhering rigidly to 
the rights of war, he manifested no resentment against 
the humbled and trembling wretches now in his power. 
His great spirit scorned to make war upon weakness, 
or triumph over a fallen foe. He indignantly disposed 
of the crew — forwarded the papers of the vessel to 
the American g.>vernment— took her into the service of 
his own country, and gave her a name which she af- 
terwards so well supported, — The Ketch Intrepid. 

Notwithstanding the loss of the tine frigate Philadel- 
phia, and the bondage of her noble crew, which very 
materially reduced the force of Com. Prebk's httle 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



87 



squadron, that veteran officp.r was not to be deterred 
from attempting to accomplish the great object of his 
government in sending him to the Mediterranean. For- 
tunately for his own fame, and for the lasting glory and 
benefit of his beloved country, he united the most cool 
deliberation, with the most dauntless courage. The, 
first enabled him to prepare well for the tremendous 
contest which lay before him. He might have exclaim-*; 
ed, in the language of an inimitable, although not a very 
modern Bard : 

'' The wide, th' unbounded prospect lies before me. 
But shadows, clouds, and darkness sit upon it." 

The second enabled him, when entered into the 
dreadful brunt of devastating warfare, to brave death 
in its most appalling and horrid forms. In Lieut. Deca- 
tur, he recognized a chivalrous warriour, who, amidst a- 
host of Gangers and the strides of death, thought less of 
himself than he did of his country and his crew. For- 
tunately was it, we may again say that there was such a 
man as Preble, at such a time, to command such a man 
as Decatur, He wanted nothing to stimulate him to the 
most daring attempts. At that youthful period of his 
life, his couraj^e rather needed restraint than excitement. 
Preble, as commander of the little squadron in the Me- 
diterranean was in some measure situated as Jackson 
was, when commanding his little army at New Orleans. 
His language to Mr. Monroe, then Secretary at War, was, 
'* .^3 the safety of this city will depend upon the fate of 
this army, it must not he incautiously exposed.'''' The 
gallant Commodore might have said : — " As the glory 
of my country, the safety of her merchants, and the 



o6 LIFE ©F 

redemptiOQ of my countrymen from slavery, depend 
upon my small force, it must not rashly be carried into 
a contest, where so many chances are against its suc- 
cess." 

He selected the harbours of the cities of Syracuse 
.and Messina for his general rendezvous in the Mediter- 
ranean, — occasionally laid off the island of Malta, and 
sometimes carried his squadron into the bay of Nap^«?s. 
No portion of this globe could afford the ardent hero 
and the classical scholar a' more sublime subject for 
copi'ernplation. Except some sections of" the immense 
American Republic, no part of our world seems to have 
been created upon a scale so wonderfully grand. It is 
calculated to inspire the most exalted views of the 
boundless greatness and incomprehensible wisdom of 
creative power. Our countrymen were here almost 
in view of Etnaf and Vesuvius, which have for ages 
spread desolation over the cities at their bases. The 
<?;ulf of Charybdis, the place where Euphemia once was^ 
and where the hideous desolation of earthquakes 
nre yet visible through Calabria, were within a few 
hours sail. In addition to this , it has been the the- 
atre of the most important events recorded in an- 
cient or modern history. The mind of the historian, 
the scholar, the poet and the warriour, seem to be ir- 
resistibly hurried back to the days of antiquity, and 
traces the events and the works which have so aston- 
ishingly developed the moral, physical, and intellec- 
taal Acuities of man. Commodore Preble had in his 
squadron many scholars of the first water, as they were 
all heroes of the first stamp. The region in which they 
moved, and the object they had to accomplish, were 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 89 

both calculated to stimulate them to that pitch of un- 
pitralleled enthusiasm, which led them to the achieve- 
ment of such unparalleled deeds. 

The renowned city of Syracuse is situated upon the 
island of Sicily. The historian will readily lecollect 
its former grandeur and importance ; but the writer has 
enjoyed the infinite satisfaction of learning its present 
state, from some of the accomplished officers of Com- 
modore Preble's squadron, and other A'nericjm gentle- 
men, who have recently explored the isl^i'.d of Sicily, 
and resided in the city of Syracuse. Tbi? island was 
once the regior; of fertility ; and while the Roman le- 
gions were striding from conqtiRst to conquest, over 
what was then called '• the vvbole world," this island 
was literally their granary. The climate i3 altogether 
the fin-^sl that can be imaajirted. The soil produces 
not only all the necessaries, but all the luxuries of life. 
The ancient Syracusans carried their city to a pitch of 
grandeur, second only to that of Rome. It can hardly 
be' believed in the nineteenth century, that this single 
city, in ancient days, furnished one hundred thousand 
foot soldiers, and ten thousand horsemen, but such was 
the fact. And when it is mentioned that her navy 
amounted to four hundred vessels, the assertion would 
almost seem to be incredible, but it is no less true. At 
that period of their history, the Syracusans flourished 
by war, — they aftervvards became degenerated by- 
peace. Rome conquered Greece by arms, and was 
herself conquered by the refinements of Greece. It 
was easy for the clans which composed what is gene- 
rally called the '^ Northern Hive" in the fxfth century of 
the Christian era to conquer them both. They only had 
8 * 



90 



LIFE OF 



toconqueaapeopleby arms, who had coaquered them- 
selvs by effeminacy. The Saxons, from whom English- 
men and Americans principally derive their origin, led 
the van of that myriad who precipitated themselves 
upon the ancient nations of Europe, and established 
those which now so clompletely eclipse their former 
splendour. The Gauk, Franks, and other clans follow- 
ed in their train, and European nations are now what 
the Romans, Grecians, Carthagenians, and other an- 
cient nations were, about the commencement of the 
Christian era; and London, Paris, and other cities are 
now, what Rome, Syracuse, and other cities were then. 

While at anchor in the harbour of Syracuse, Lieut. 
Decatur, and his brother officers frequently went on 
shore, and explored this city of ancient wealth, refine- 
ment and grandeur. In Y>o'mt of extcTit, the residence 
of the Lieutenant, when in America, (although Phila- 
delphia is the largest city in our Republic,) it would 
bear but a feeble comparison with Syracuse. It is 
twenty-two miles in circumference ; although its limits 
could then be discovered only by the mouldering ruins 
of its ancient boundaries. Although the natural charms 
of the country remain the same as they were when the 
fiat of creative power brought the universe into exist- 
ence, yet the miserable, degenerated, effeminated, and 
vitiated descendants of the ancient Syracusans, had so 
scan<lalously degraded the noble ancestors from whom 
they desceaded, that the officers of Commodore Preble's 
squadron, saw nothing in them to excite their respect 
— much less their admiration. 

But Decatur was not ordered by his government to 
sail in an American aFined ship, to the Mediterranean 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 91 

for the purpose of visiting the tombs of Ai^chimedeSj 
Theocritus, Petrarch and Virgil, or to return home^nd 
amuse and dehght his countrymen with the present 
state of the " classic ground" which these splendid gen- 
iuses have rendered sacred. His business was to con- 
quer a barbarous foe bordering upon another portion 
of the Mediterranean, who never had any more pre- 
tensions to the productions of genius, than they have 
to the exercise of humanity. He perfectly understood 
the ancient character of the Syracusans, and from oc- 
cular demonstration, had plenary evidence of their mod- 
ern degeneracy. As the squadron rendezvoused there 
to obtain water and fresh provisions, the officers and 
seamen had occasion frequently to be on shore wrthin 
the city by night and by day. Although the American 
Republic was at peace with the Neapolitan government, 
yet there was no individual safety when intercourse 
became necessary with its vindictive and sanguinary 
subjects. From many interesting narrations of many of 
the accomplished officer? of Commodore Preble's 
squadron, the fact may be asserted that the Syracus- 
ans, who were amongst the most noble of the ancients, 
are amongst the most degraded of the moderns. Their 
sordid and mercenary rulers exercise a boundless, un- 
detined and unrestrained power over the miserable and 
degraded people — they, in hopeless despondence, prey 
upon each other ; and, like Macbeth, having long wa- 
ded in blood, may as well advance as to recede ; and, as 
if blood was their aliment^ they m 'ko a business of as- 
sasstnation. Armed with concealed daggers, stilettoes, 
and knives, our unsuspecting officers and seamen were 
assailed when the earth was shrouded in darkness, and 



92 LIFE OF ' 

sometimes escaped with their lives by putting their as- 
sailants to death. Lieut. Decatui* with his favourite 
associate, Midshipman Macdonough. having occasion to 
be ashore until evening, the latter was a-sailed by three 
of these armed assassins. Replaced himself against 
the wall of an ancient rnin, and defended himself with 
his cutlass. He severely wounded two of the assail- 
ants, the third fled ; and for safety ascended to the top 
of a building — was pursued by Macdonongh, precipita- 
ted himself to the ground, and met with the reward of 
his infernal thirst for blood, in instantaneous df-'ath. 

This is no place for grave and pmlix reflections — 
they belong to the writers of ethics, and not to the bi- 
ographer ; bu^ it is utterly impossible to avoid the in- 
quiry, how the human heart can become so completely 
divested of the feelings of humanit}^ and be metamor- 
phosed into tho.^e of beasts of prey ? — and how those 
portions of the world where the arts and sciences not 
Only once flourished, but may be said almost to have 
originated, should now be reduced to a state fl\r worse 
than that which is naturally savage ? Many portions of 
Asia, Europe and Africa, bordering upon the renowned 
Meditprranean sea, are now inhabited by races of men 
far less magnanimous, and little less ferocious, than the 
aborigines who roam through the boundless wilder- 
nesses of America, where science never diffused its 
lights, and where civilization never imparted its refin- 
ed blessings. 

While at Syracuse, Lieut. Decatur was incessantly 
employed in preparing his crew for th^ unequal, the 
daimg and desperate contest in which he was shortly 
to enter. His arduous and impatient soul panted for an 



STEPHEN DECATUR. ^3 

Opportunity to avenge the injuries ofhia country, and 
above all, to relieve his countrymen from the dreadful 
state of wretchedness to which they were rfeduced^y 
their slavery, under Jussuf, at that time reigning Ba- ' 
shaw of Tripoli. 

It will not, I trust, be deemed a digression— indeed, 
upon second thought, it is no digression at all, to make 
a brief allusion to the blood-thirsty demon who sat up- 
on the blood-stained throne of Tripoli, while Decatur 
was pouring out the vindictive wrath of an injured Re- 
public, upon his no less blood-thirsty subjects. 

Jussuif, was, to the reigning family of Tripoli, what 
Richard III. once was to the reigning family of England. 
He was a remote heir to the throne of the Bashaw, 
filled by his father. The certain progress of the king 
of terrors, or the sanguinary hand of some other assas- 
sin, might have placed him upon the throne, according 
to the laws of succession, (jfthey have any in Tripoli.) 
without ascending it with his hands reeking in the blood 
of his father and his eldest brother. Both of these 
he had murdered ; and his next oldest brother, Hamet 
Caramalli, apprehending the same fate, sought a refuge 
from unnatural death, by fleeing into Egypt ! Having 
no other rival, this modern Cain mounted the throne 
of his father and his brother ; and, as he had acquired 
it by violating the laws of God, of Nature, and of Man, 
he endeavoured to s-ipport iiimself upon it, by re-act- 
ing the same tragical scenes which carried him to it. 
The " compunctious visitingss" of conscience, the mon- 
itor in the hum;in breast, excited no horrors in his 
callous and reprobate heart. A gleam of horrid tri- 
umph seemed to shed a baleful and blasting illumination 



\ 



^4 ILIFE OF 

over his blackened and- bloody souJ> He *' grinned 
horrildy a ghastly smile" at the ftUe^fhi« innocent and 
exiled brother, and. gna?het1 his teeth" at the gallant 
Bainbridi^e, his noble crew and the rest of American 
■prisoners Ihen in his d'lngeons. I( was in varn for Mr. 
Lear, then American Consul, by all the melting and im- 
passioned appeals he could make to the obdurate hrart 
of this devil incarnate, to obtain the least mitigation 
of the indescribably wretched bondage to which his 
beloved countrymen were reduced. As well might the 
lamb bleat for "mercy in the paw of a tiger, or the 
child attempt to demolish the Bashaw's castle with his 
wind-gun. Mr. Lear was cofnpelled to be an agonized 
spectator of the accumulated and accumulating miseries 
of gallant Americans, who had left the regions of hap- 
piness — the arms of fathers, mothers, brothers and sis- 
ters — of wives and children, to redeem by their cour- 
age, their own countrymen, who had previously been 
enslaved. The po verful arms of Bainbridge and his 
crew, which, at liberty, would have scattered death 
amongst a host of Turks, were pinioned and lashed to- 
gether, and driven to the shore ; and, in taunting de- 
rision, commanded to cast their swimming eyes upon 
their shipmates, then wafting in the bay of Tripoli : 
and to heave forth the sighs of hearts, already bursting, 
for the land of their homes. But I must retract, — not 
a tear was dropped ; not a sigh was heaved ; for re- 
venge had closed the flood gates of grief, and American 
hearts, beating in bosoms truly American, panted for 
nothing but vengeance upon their demoniacal oppres- 
sors. 

The Bashaw, who might well be compared to the 



STEPHEN DECATU-R. 95 

toad which wished to*swell itself to th^elze of the ox, 
reposed in fanQied security% H$ casta malignant glance 
at the little squadrdh in which Decatur was one of the 
distinguished leaders. He saw in the bay spreading 
before his city, his batteries, and bis castles, a noble 
American frigate, (the Philadelj^hia,) and the pride of 
the American navy — upon which the " star-spangled 
banner" once.trmmphantly waved, how added to his 
naval force ; manned by a double crew of Tripolitans, 
and with the Turkish crescent waving on its mast. He 
saw its once gallant crew, miserable i^laves in his own 
gloomy dungeons ; and, in anticipation, feasted his can- 
nibal appetite upon all the victims which the American 
squadron could add to his list of Christian slaves.- 

Decatur's fearless and noble soul was not only arous- 
ed to the highest pitch of enthusiastic courage, but it 
was absolutely inflamed with desperation to behold his 
former companions in the navy thus degraded — thus 
humiliated — thus subjugated. But, like a lion gro>vl- 
ing at a distance, and indicating to his foe their future 
fate, he was restrained, by a superior power, from rush- 
ing too precipitately upon the barbarous enemy he 
wished instantly to encounter. All personal consider- 
ations were completely merged and lost in the agony he 
felt for his brother officers and seamen in slavery. He 
had taken his life in his hand, and seemed anxious to 
offer it up, if so decreed by the God of battles for the 
redemption of hii^endeared countrymen. But the gal- 
lant, the noble, and yet cautious Preble, his almost 
adored commandier, knew full well that the means in 
his hands must be directed with the utmost caution 
to accomplish the end he had in view. With no less 



96 LIFE OF 

ardour than Decatur, he had a far greater responsibili- 
ty as commani$r in chief of the little American squad- 
ron. He could not endure the thought, that his favor- 
ite officer, should fall a victim to his desperate courage ; 
and the gallant Lieutenant was, for a time, restrained 
from attempting the desperate and romantic enter- 
prize. 

It is hardly within the compass of the*human imagi- 
nation to conceive of a combination of circumstances 
so well calculated to inspire the soul of an ardent and chi- 
valrous hero, like Decatur, as the situation of the Phi- 
ladelphia frigate and her gallant crew. She was built 
in the city where he had spent the days of his boy- 
hood — where he obtained the rudiments of a polite ed- 
ucation, and the theoretical principles of naval tactics. 
In addition to this, his beloved and gallant father was 
her first commander. Further — his companions (her 
crew) with whom, for previous years, he had served 
in aur infant Navy, were held in " durance vile" by the 
vilest of wretches who bear the form of man. These 
were enough — but let not the cool reasoners upon hu- 
man motives and human passions sneer when it is said, 
that a consideration paramount to all these swayed big 
noble heart — his tountry was degraded. That, 
indeed, was enough for him ; for his whole life evinced 
that his country was first in his heart — first in his arm, 
and first in the hour of appalhng danger. To that 
country his immortahzed father had dedicated him— to 
that country he had voluntarily devot^yiimself. Had 
he not been educated in a Ghristia^^^Kry, it would 
seem as if he had taken his system SM™^^ doctrines 
taught by Lycurgus t6 the ancient Sj^attans. — " Obedi 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 97 

enee to the laws — respect for parents — fever ence for old 
age — inflexible honour — undaunted courage — cdfitempt 
of danger and of death : — and, above all, the i-ovE of 

GLORY AND OF COUNTRY."* 

To recapture the Philadelphia, was absphitely im- 
practicable, as the writer has been assured by some of 
the accomplished ofncers of Commodore Preble's 
squadron. She was moored under the guns of the 
Bishaw's castle aud his extensile and powerfni bntterieg, 
and was herself completely prepared to join them in re- 
pelling any assailant that should approach her. There 
were these alternatives — She must either be destroyed, 
constantly blockaded, or suffered to escape and commit 
depredations upon the commerce and outrage upon the 
citizens of the country who built, equipped and manned, 
her. 

Decatur, with the most impassioned and fervent ap- 
peals to the Commodore, entreated him to permit an 
attempt to destroy her as she lay at her moorings. It 
was an attempt so pregnant with danger, and approach- 
ing so near to certain destruction, that the heroic, 
though cautious Preble hesitated in grantingthe request. 
The imminent hazard of the enterprise was pftnted out 
in such a manner as was calculated to allay the ardour 
of the most romantic heroism. But Decatur, rising 
above the ordinary calculations of chances — retiring 
into his own bosom, and forming hi?- judoment from his 
own exalted gallantry, took no counsel from fear, but 

* Vide Professor Tytler's Lectures, on the Elements of Gen- 
eral History, Ancient and Modern. 



98 LIFE OF 

volunteered his services to his superior officer, to com- 
mand the desperate expedition. At length 

"He wrung from him his slow leave," — 

and immediately commenced his preparations for the 
awful undertaking. The ardour of the Lieutenant was 
increased as the danger of the attempt was magnified. 
At this early period of his iite, he seemed to have revi- 
ved the spirit which pervaded the hearts of men in the 
**Age of Chivalry ;" and to have adopted the ancient 
axiom "the greater the danger the greater the glory." 
But let it be remembered that Decatur sought for glory ^ 
only by the discharge of duty. 

Uniting the most consummate sag-acity, with the most 
daring courage, he selected the little Ketch Intrepid^ 
which as previously mentioned he had himself captured, 
m full view of the bay where the Philadelphiawas moor- 
ed. tJe was aware that if the expedition should prove 
successful, it would render the mortification of the in- 
solent Bashaw doubly severe, to see a little vessel 
which lately belonged to his own marine force, boldly 
advance iinder the guns or his battery and cnstle and 
destroy Ijlie largest ship that belonged to his navy. 
A ship too which he neither built nor honourably cap- 
tured, but which became his by the irresistable laws of 
the elements. 

No sooner was it known that this expeuition was to 
be undertaken, than the crew of Lieut. Decatur volun- 
teered their services — ever ready to follow their be- 
loved commander to victory or to death. Other sea- 
men followed their example. Nor was this the most 
conclusive evidence of the unbounded confidence plac- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



99 



ed in his skill and courage. Lieut. Charles Stewart, 
also volunteered under Decatur ; and for tlie expedi- 
tion took the Brig Syren, and a few boats; and, to 
show still futher the high estimation in which he was 
holden— Lieut. James Lawrence, and CharleJs Mor- 
ris, and Thomas Macdoptdugh (then midshipmen) en- 
tered on hoATd the Intrepid with Decatur. What^a 
constellation of ri^^ing ocean heroes were here associa- 
ted I They were then all young officers, almost un- 
known to fame. Now their names are all identitied 
with the naval glory of the American Republic. 



• 



100 JilFE OP 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Improper estimate of battles— Lieutenant Decatur sails for Tri- 
poll ill the Ketch Intrepid— Baffled by adverse winds — diminu- 
tion of provisions — Reaches the harbour of Tripoli 16th Feb. 
1804 — Loses the assistance of the Syren and the boats — Enters 
the harbour with the Ketch Intrepid — Boards the Philadelphia, 
followed by Morris, Lawrence, Macdonough and the crew — 
Compels the Turks to surrender — Sets Ihe Philadelphia frigate 
on fire, and secures his retreat — Gen. Eaton and Caramalli — 
Consternation of Bashaw — Joy of American prisoners — Small 
force of Commodore Prebie. 

The readers of history are extremely prone to at- 
tach importance to battle.*? upon land or upon sea in 
proportion to the numbers engaged in them, and to 
bestow a greater or less degree of applause upon the 
victor? on the same principle. Nothing can be more 
fallacious. The battle of New Orleans, in Ameiica, 
in point of courage and generalship, equalled that of 
Waterloo in Europe ; and the event we are about to 
record, is not surpassed, if indeed it was equalled, by 
the victory at Copenhagen. We do not here speak of 
th^ consequences which followed to the different coun- 
tries:, but of the heroes who achieved the victories ; ^ 
and it is fearlessly asserted that when every circum- 
stance is taken into. consideration, that the fame of 
Jackson in the one will vie with that of Wellington, — 
and Decatur's in the other with that of Nelson. 

As soon as the crews of the Ketch Intrepid and the 
brig Syren were made up, the utmost dispatch was 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



101 



used in preparing them for the expedition. The 
Ketch was fitted out as a fire ship, in case it should be 
n-cessary to use her as such. The Brig with the boats 
accompanying her, were to Aid, as circumstances ren- 
dered it necessary, and to receive the crew of the 
Ketch if she was driven to the necessity of being blown 

up. 

Upon the 3d day of February, Decatur weighed an- 
chor in the little Intrepid, accompanied by Lieut. Stew- 
art, in the Syren, who was also accompanied by the 
boats A favourable wind would have wafted them to 
their destined port in less than five days ; but for fif- 
teen days, they encountered the most boisterous and 
tempestuous weather. Instead of encountering a bar- 
barous enemy, they were buffeting the waves and 
struggling for life with a tumultuous and agitated sea. 
Nothing could be better calculated to repress the ar- 
dour of Decatur and his little band. His provisions 
were diminished and almost expended ; and although 
not a murmur escaped from the lips of the humblest 
seaman, it may well be imagined what must be their 
reflections, when liable every hour to be swallowed 
up by the wave:= ; and if they escaped them to be fam- 
ished with hunger ! Men of the stoutest hearts who 
would undauntedly rush to the cannon's mouth, be- 
came even children at the prospect of Uiaiine. 

At length, upon the memorable 16th of February, 
1804, a little before sun-set, Decatur hove in sight of 
the hay of Tripoli, and of the frigate Philadelphia, with 
the Turkish Crescent proudly waving at her head. 
The appiehensioPiS arising from storms and famine 
^vcre suddenly banished by the prospect of a glorious 

9* 



i02 LIFE OF 

victory or a glorious death. Lord Nelson, when en- 
tering into the action of Cape St. Fincent^ exclaimed, 
" Glorious Victory — or Westminster Abbey."*' 
Decatur might have exclaimed — " The Philadelphia 
Frigate — or a Monument in Philadelphia City.'' 
It had previously been arranged between Decatur 
and Lieut. Stewart that the Intrepid accompanied by 
the boats which had been attached to the Syren, should 
enter the harbour at 10 o'clock — with the utmost possi- 
ble silence bear down upon the Philadelphia, and take 
her by boarding. But as if fate had entered its veto 
against the success of the expedition, the Syren, with 
all the boats, by a change of wind, were driven from 
five to ten miles from the Intrepid, leaving Decatur, 
with only seventy volunteers in this small Ketch. 
The moment of decision had come. His provisions 
were nearly expended, and the expedition must have 
been relinquished for that season unless the object of 
it was now accomplished. He knew tliat his gallant lit- 
tle crew were as true to him as the needle, by which he 
directed his ketch to Tripoli, was to the pole. Wher- 
ever he would lead, he knew they would follow. Hav- 
inga Maltese pilot on board the Ketch, he ordered him 

* To the common reader, the exclamation of Nelson may not 
be altogether intelligible. It has, for some centuries been custo- 
mary in England to entomb the bodies of Heroes, Statesmen, 
Poets, &c. in " Westminster Abbey''* as one of the highest honours 
that can be bestowed upon the " illustrious dead," and to erect 
a monument or statue near them. The great Doct. Johnson, in 
the agonies of death, was consoled, when told that his body 
would be there deposited. The reader will find an elegant des- 
cription of this ancient Cemetery in Professor Siliman's Jour- 
nal. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 103 

to answer the hail from the frigate in tlie Tripolitan 
tongue ; and, if they were ordered to come to an an- 
chor, to answer that they had lost their anchors upon 
the coast in a gale of wind, and that a compliance with 
the order was impossible. He addressed his gallant 
oflicers and men in the most anim;ited and impassioned 
style — pointed out to them the glory of the achieve- 
ment, which would redound to themselves, and the last- 
ing benefit it would secure to their country — that it 
would hasten the redemption of their brother seamen 
from horrible bondage, and give to the name of Ameri- 
cans an exalted rank even amongst Mahometans. Eve- 
ry heart on board swelled with enthusiasm, and re- 
sponded to the patriotic sentiments of their beloved 
commander, by wishing to be led immediately into the 
contesift. Every man was completely armed — not only 
with the most deadly weapons, but with the most daunt- 
less courage. 

The render may form some faint conceptions of the 
tremendous hazard of this engagement, by learning that 
the Philadelphia was moored near the Bashaw's exten- 
sive and powerful batteries, a'.d equally near to what 
he deemed his impregnable castle. One of her full 
broadsides of twenty six guns pointed directly into the 
harbour, and were all mounted and loaded 'with double 
headed shot. Two of the Tripolitan's largest corsairs 
were anchored within two cable's length of her star- 
board quarter, while a great number of heavy gun- 
boats vveie stationed about the same distance from her 
starboard bow. As the Bashaw had reasons daily to 
expect an attack from Com. Preble's squadron, the 
Tripolitan commander of the Philadelphia had aug- 



104 LIFE OF 

merited her crew to nearly a thousand Turks. In ad- 
dition to all these formidable, — yea, appalling conside- 
rations, Decatur and his noble crew knew full well 
that after having entered into this dreadfully unequal 
combat there was no escape. It was a '^forlorn hope'''' — 
it was victory, slavery, or death — death perhaps by the 
hands of the Turks — perhaps by the explosion of the 
Intrepid. 

As soon as darkness had concealed the Ketch from 
the view of the Tripolitans, Decatur bore slowly into 
the harbour, and approached the numerous magazines 
of death which were prepared to repel or destroy any 
assailant that should approaeh. The light breeze he 
had when he entered the harbour, died away, and a 
dead calm succeeded. At 1 1 o'clock, he had approach- 
ed within two hundred yards of the Philadelphia. An 
vinbroken silence for the three preceding hours had 
prevailed ; reminding the poetical reader of the ex- 
pressive couplet — 

" A fearful silence now invades the ear, 
And in that silence all a tempest fear." 

Atthi? portentous moment, the hoarse and dissonant 
voice of a Turk hailed the Intrepid, and ordered her to 
come to anchor. The faithful Maltese pilot answered 
as previously directed, and the sentinel supposed *' all 
•was well.^^ The Ketch gradually approached the fri- 
gate ; and when within about fifty yards of her, Deca- 
tur ordered the Intrepid's small boat to take a rope 
and make it fast to the fore chains of the frignte, and the 
men to return immediately on board the Ketch. This 
done, some of the crew with the rope, began to warp 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 105 

the Ketch alongside the Philadelphia. The imperious 
Turks at this time began to imagine that " all wa» not 
well." The Ketch was suddenly brought into contact 
with the frigate — Decatur, fall armed, dnrtedlike light- 
ning upon her deck, and was immediately followed by 
Midshipman Morris. For a full minute they were the 
only Americans on board, contending with hundreds of 
Turks. Lieut. Lawrence and Midshipman Macdon- 
ough, as soon as possible, followed their commander, 
and were themselves followed by the whole of the little 
crew of the Intrepid. A scene followed which beggars 
description. The consternation of the Turks, increas- 
ed the wild confusion which the unexpected- assault 
occasioned. They rushed upon deck from every oth- 
er part of the frigate, and instead of aiding, obstructed 
each other in defending her. Decatur and his crew 
formed di front equal to that of the Turks, and then im- 
petuously rushed upon them. It was the business ofthe 
Americans to slay, and of the Turks to die. It was 
impossible to ascertain the number slain ; but it was 
estimated from twenty to thirty. As soon as any Turk 
was wounded^ he immediately jumped overboard, choos- 
ing a voluntary death, rather than the disgrace of loos- 
ing blood by the h«nd of a " Christian dog,''' as the 
Mahometans universally call all Christians. Those 
who were not slain, or who had leaped overboard, ex- 
cepting one, escaped in a boat tou|||e shore. 

Decatur now found himself incomplete possession 
of the Philadelphia, and commanded^upon the same 
deck where his gallant father had commanded before 
him. But in life, he was in the midst of death. He 
could not move the frigate, for there was no wind — he 



106 



LIFE OF 



eould not tow 'her out of the harbour, for he had not 
sufficient strength. The Bashaw's troops commenced 
a tremendous fire from their batteries and the casstle 
upon the frigate. The gun-boats were arranged in 
the harbour ; and the two corsairs near her were 
pouring their fire into her starboard quarter. Deca- 
tur and his gallant companions remained in the frigate, 
cool and collected, fully covinced that that was ti^e only 
place where they could defend themselves. Finding 
it totally impossible to withstand, for any length of time, 
such a tremendous cannonade as was now bearing upon 
him, he resolved to set the frigate on fire in every one 
of her most combustible parts, and run the hazard of 
escaping, with his officers and seamen, in the little In- 
trepid, which still lay along side of her. It was a mo- 
ment, pregnant with the most a-wful, or the most happy 
consequences to these gallant heroes. After the con- 
flagration commenced, Decatur and his associates en- 
tered the Ketch as it increasc^d, and for some time were 
in imminent daRger of being blown up with her. As 
if heaven smiled upon the conclusion of this enter- 
prise, as it seemed to frown upon its beginning, a fa- 
vourable brfteze at this moment arose, which blew the 
Intrepid directly out of the reach of the enemy's can- 
non, and enabled Decatur, his officers and seamen, to 
behold, at a secure distance, the furious flames. and 
rolling columns of JjMoke, which issued from the Phi- 
ladelphia. As the flames heated the loaded cannon in 
the frigate, thej^were discharged, one after the other 
— those pointing into the harbour without any injury, 
and those pointing into the city of Tripoli, to the great 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 107 

damage and comsternation of the barbarous* wretches 
who had loaded them to destroy our countrymen. 

It is wholly impossible for those unaccustomed to 
scenes like t'lis, to form a conception of the feelings of 
Decatur aud his comrades upon this occasion. Their 
saf« retreat was next to a resurrection from the deadv 
Not an American was slain in the desperate rencontre, 
.and but four were wounded. Commodore Preble 
might well exclaim to Lieut. Decatur upon joining his 
squadron, as an ancient Baron to his favourite Knight-— 

" Welcome to my arms ; thou art twice a conqueror, 
" For thou bringest home full numbers." 
1 

Equally impossible is it to imagine the feelings of Capt, 
Bainbridge and his companions in bondage upon this al- 
most miraculous event. They heard the roar of can- 
non in their gloomy dungeon, and saw the gleaming 
light of the flames ; but knew not the cause. Upon 
learning the cheering tidings, joy converted their 
chains and cords to silked threads. It was a presage 
of their deliverance, and foretold to them a glorious 
jubilee. 

The highest reward a gallant and aspiring officer can 
recoive is Promotion ; and to promote^ is the most dif- 
ficult duty of our government. If by a successful en- 
terprise like that just described, a junior officer attracts 
the attention ofhis government, and excites the admi- 
ration ofh^s countrymen, the first naturally expects 
promotion, and the last, so far as they can, seem to de- 
mand it. Senior officers, not having had an opportunity 
to signalize themselves, feel the very excess of morti- 
fication at seeing a junior carried over their heads for 



108 LIFE OF 

any reasoh whatever. It was this that all but drove 
the gallant and lariiented Lawrence to a resignation. 
It would be a digression to detail the particulars ; they 
are fapailiar with ev^ry critical reader of our naval 
history. At the time of Decatur's tirst, and in the es- 
timation of some, his greatest achrevement, there was 
no intermediate grade between a tirst Lieutenant and 
that of Post-Captain, to which he was promoted for the 
destruction of the Philadelphia. The most convincing 
evidence I can furnish of the v^ry high estimation in 
which Decatur, thus early in life, was holden by his 
brother officers, who were his seniors, is, that they vo- 
luntarily consented, that he should be promoted over 
them ; thus furnishing " confirmation, strong as proof 
of holy writ," of the consummate skill and gallantry of 
Decatur, and of the exalted magnanimity of his brother 
officers. 

Capt. Decatur, remained with the squadron of Com. 
Preble at their rendezvous until the spring of 1804, 
enjoying with his admiring comrades the high reputa- 
tion he had acquired. Far, however, from being sat- 
isfied with one glorious achievement, he only consid- 
ered it as the beginning oi 'a life of glory. 

The unvarying modesty of ail our naval champions, 
hag become proverbial. It is not that aff'ected modes- 
ty which made Caesar for a time decline a crown, and 
then accept' fit ; butthat real dignifietl modesty which 
is a concomitant vvith real and exalted vvorjji. So far 
from gasconading boasting, they seldom speak of them- 
selves or their ^achievements ; and instead of monopo- 
lizing the applause which the world is anxious to bes- 
tow upon them, they rather seem solicitous that their 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 109 

comrades should fully participate with them in the fame 
they have acquired. A literary correspondent of the 
writer when requested to furnish some memoranda of 
one of our most distinguished Post-Captains, thus ex- 
presses himself : — " With respect to anecdotes drawn 
from private communications, as far as my ouyn observa-- 
lion has extended, Capt, *********** {5 a man of such 
singular modesty, that in the course of an unreserved dc- 
quaintance with him for some years, I do not remember 
ever having heard him speak, in detml, of any incidents 
connected with such of his own actions as reflect lustre 
on himself or are highly interesting to the public''^ A 
more perfect picture of Capt. Decatur could not be 
drawn. He always seemed to have forgotten what he 
had accomplished, and only lookedforward to the tem- 
ple of Fame, through the long and brilliant vista of 
deeds of immortal renown. 

Com. Preble, fully sensible of the deficiency of his 
squadron in vessels of a smaller class, negociated with 
the king of Naples for the loan of two bombards, and 
six gun boats. Nelson, when commanding immense 
squadrons of ships of the line declared that " Frigates 
were the eyes of a fleet ;'^ and gun-boats were to Preble, 
what frigates were to him. This great man, and vete- 
ran officer, had the scantiest means to accomplish a most 
important end. But as the gallant Henry V. with his 
little army before Agincourt " wished not for another 
man from England," go Preble wished not for another 
keel, another gun, or another man from America. His 
noble soul converted his little squadron into a powerful 
fleet, and, surrounded by such officers as Decatur, So- 
mers, Stewart, Lawrence. Morris, Macdonough,Trippe, 
10 



I 10 LIFE OP 

and others, then less known, and perhaps equally gal- 
lant, his comrades were magnified^nto a mighty host. 

While Com. Preble was thus preparing to negociate 
with the tyrannous and murderous Jussuff at the mouth 
of his cannon, and to send his ultimatum in powder and 
ball, Mr. Wiiliam Eaton, who had previously been a 
consul from Atnerica up the Mediterranean, conceived 
the daring and romantic project of reitoring//a?/jci Car- 
amalliio the throne of Tripoli which had been usurped 
by the reigning Bashaw. Hamet had relinquished all 
hopes of regaining a throne which had always been ac- 
quired by blood and assassination. Like a philosopher, 
he had retired to Egypt, where the Beys of that an- 
cient kingdom extended to him their protection and 
their hospitality. To use bis own language as transla- 
ted into ours he — " reposed in the security of peace — 
had almost ceased to repine for the Loss of hs throne, and 
regretted only the lot of his unhappy people, doomed to 
the yoke ofhi<i cruet and tyrannical brother. ^^ Novel 
language this, to be sure, in the mouth of an Ishmaeli- 
tish Mahometan ! How much his " unhappy people" 
would have been benefitted by his reign, cannot 
now be determined ; as he is not amongst the '* legiti- 
mate sovereigns" who have in later times waded 
through the blood of their own subjects to thrones from 
which they were driven by the public voice ; — thrones 
which tremble beneath them, and which they maintain 
only by the strong arm of power. 

Some few Americans from the American squadron, 
joined Eaton, and, many natives of various tribes, lan- 
guages and colours flocked to his standard. A motlej 
sort of an army was thus formed, and Eaton placed 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



Ill 



himself at their head as a Gener*al. He repaired to 
Alexandria, and found the feeble Caranialii, as just 
mentioned " reposing in jecurity and peace.'' Fortu- 
nate indeed had it been for him, if he had remained m 
safety by continuing in obscurity. Few instances are 
left us upon record of princes who have been exiled 
from their thrones and kingdoms, who have enjoyed 
either of them upon their restoration. The houses of 
Stuart, Bourbon and Braganzi furnish the commentary. 
The expiring hopes of Caramalli, were brightened up 
by the ardent and romantic Eaton as a sudden gust eh- 
cits a spark from the faint ghmmering light in the socket. 
He cast alonging eye toward the dangerous throne of Tri- 
poli, more than half a thousand miles distant, between 
which and himself stretched an immense desert sec- 
ond only in barrenness and desolation to that o( Zahara. 
But nothing could repress the ardour of E:iton. The 
idea of an American, taking from the land where Pha- 
raoh once held the children of Israel in captivity, an 
exiled prince, and placing him upon the throne of a 
distant kingdom, had something in it so outrageously 
captii^ating, that the enthusiastic mind of the chivalrous 
Eaton was lost to every other consideration. 

The grateful Caramalli, if an Ishmaelite can be 
gratefil, took leave of his Egyptian friends, and jdaced 
himself under th^ banner of Eaton. He entered into a 
convention with the General, by which he promised im- 
mense favours to the Americans, and to mnke the en- 
gagements reciprocalj the Genera' />ro/?uscc? to restore 
him to his throne. This diplmmuic arrangement was 
doubtless mutually satisfactory to the parties, altuough 



112 LIFE*OF 

the -Aftierican and Tripolitan governments had no hand 
in this negociation, 

C;trama!li, his General, an(i a great assemblage of in- 
congruous materials, called an army, moved across the 
• leseits ; add endured every thing whicli they might 
have anticipated from the nature of the country. After 
pas;?ing about six hundred miles they reached the city 
of Derjie, which they triumphantly entered, and at 
least found ^ome repose and a supply for their immedi- 
ate wants ^ , 

The reigning Ba&haw, in the mean time, had augmen- 
ted his garrisons to three thousand Turkish troops, and 
an army of more than twenty thousand Arabs were en- 
camped in the neighbourhood of the strong city of Tri- 
poli. However contemptuously he might smile at the 
force which surrounded his approaching brother, by 
land, and however little he cared for the loss of the 
little city of Derne, a '* fearful looking for of judgment" 
harrowed his guilty soul, when he beheld the whole of 
Com. Preble's squadron, upon the first week of August, 
approaching the harbour of Tripoli. 

He had seen the gallant Capt. Decatur, in his bay, 
capture one of his corsairs. — He had seen the same 
Yvarriour, with the same corsair, destroy his heaviest 
ship of war, under the very guns of his batteries and 
castle, surrounded also by his marine force. The name 
of Decatur sounded in his ear, like the knell of his 
parting glory ; and when he saw the broad pendant of 
Preble, waving upon that wonder-working ship the Con- 
stitution, and surrounded by Brigs, Bombards, and 
Gun-boats, he almost despaired. He had the crew of 
the Philadelphia, and many other Americans, in wretch- 



STEPHEN DECATUJl. 1 ^ "^ 

ed bondage. Determining'to extort an enoroious ran- 
som for the prisonets, froai the American government, 
to enable him to support the vain and gorgeous pageant^ 
ryof royalty, he demanded the sum of. six hundred, 
tJwvsand dollars for their emancipation, and an/nnual 
tr^hute, as the price of peace. This, Mr. Lear indig- 
' nantly rejected. He left it with such negociators as 
Preble, Decatur, &c. to make the interchange of pow- 
ers, and to agree upon the preliminaries of a treaty. 

After having stated that the zdiole of Com. Preble's 
squadron laid before Tripoli, the reader may have been 
led to suppose that it was a very formidable force. 
But to prepare the mind to follow him and his comrades 
into the harbour, and to pursue him to the very mouths 
of the Bashaw^s cannon upon his batteries, in his castle, 
and on board bis corsairs, gun-boats, and other marine 
force, mounting little less than three hundred cannon- 
Let it be remembered that his whole squadron, inclu- 
ding the Neapolitan bombards and gunboats, mounted 
less guns than one completely armed Seventy-Four, 
and one Frigate. His squadron consisted ol one frigate, 
thr-e brigs, (one of which had been captured from the 
enemy,) three schooners, two bombards, and six gun- 
boats. His men amounted to a very little over one 
thousand, a considerable number of whom were Nea- 
politans upon whom he could place but little reliance 
in a close engagement with Turks. But he felt like a 
warricur— and knew that Americans were such. 



ii -.— — From hearts so firm. 

Whom dangers fortify, and toils inspire, 
Wbat has a leader not to hope f" 



114 LIPB OF 



CHAPTER IX. 

Lieutenant Decatur promoted to the rank of Captain — Prepa- 
rations for a general attack upon Tripoli — Capt. Decatur takes 
command of a division of Gun-boats — Disparity of force be- 

. tween his and the enemy's — He grapples and captures a Tri- 
politan boat — Is bearing for the squadron with his prize — Hears 
of the treacherous murder of his brother, Lieut. James Decatur 
—Returns to the engagement, and followed by Midshipman 
Macdonough and nine seamen, boards the enemy's boat — 
Slays the Turk who slew his brother,and bears his second prize 
to the squadron — Other achievements of the Squadron, Bom- 
bards, and Gun-boats — Effects of the attack upon the Ba- 
shaw, and Tripolitans. 

Capt. Decatur, at this time, (August 1804) was pla- 
ced in thej^rsi grade of officers in the American Navy ; 
and, to remind him of the gallant achievement for 
which he was there placed, his commission bore date 
the memorable 16th day of February, 1804. He also 
received a vote of thanks, expressed in the most ap- 
plauding terms, and also an elegant sword, for the de- 
struction of the Philadelphia frigate. These high 
honours were amongst thefirst of this nature bestowed 
upon the officers of the Navy. They were more grat- 
ifying to such a mind as Decatur's, than it would have 
been to have captured a lEleet of merchatitmen, and to 
have shared largely in the p? izes. Far from being ela- 
ted with these unequivocal tokens of the approbation 
of ins government and commander, he sought only to 
shew the world, by his/Miwre conduct, that he deserv- 
ed them. 

There being but one frigate in the squadron, and 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 115 

that commanded bj^ Commodore Freble, there was yet 
no national ship in Hhe Mediterranean, of a rate that 
corresponded with Captain Decatur's grade. But lit- 
tle did he care in what sort of vessel he served his 
country, so be it he could efficiently aid in compelling 
the imperious Jussuif to bow to American prowess ; 
and, after being humiliated, to release from bondage 
the noble and gallant Bainbridge— his gallant officers 
and seamen— and all the Americans holden in Mahom- 
etan slavery. 

Commodore Preble had made the best possible prep- 
arations he could, with his limited means, to effect his 
ultimate object. The two preceding squadrons sent 
from America to the Meditt^rranean under Commo- 
dores Dale and Morris had gone but little beyond mere 
blockading ships— for this was all they could do. The 
American government, in the season of 1804 used eve- 
ry exertion to prepare a respectable augmentation to 
Commodore Preble's squadron, and in the mean time 
he was preparing to make " demonstration^^" upon 
Tripoli rather more impressive than those made by ten 
times his force upon fort Mc'Henry fort Bowyer, and 
fort St. Phillip by immense British squadrons, in the 
war of 1812 in America. 

After having been baffled for a longtime by adverse 
wind=, he reached the harbour of Tripoli in the last 
week of July. The Bashaw affected to disguise the 
real apprehensions he felt by exclaiming to his cour- 
tiers—'' They will mark their distance for tacking—they 
are a sort of Jews who have no notion of fighting.'' He 
had not yet sufficiently .-tudiedthe American character ; 
and needed a few more lessons from Decatur to enable 



116 



LIFE OF 



him thoroughly to comprehend it. He was soon to 
le^rn that Americans upon the ocean were not like the 
children of Israel, or the descendants of Ishmael. 

Captain Decatur was selected by Commodore Preble 
to command one division of the Gun-boats, and Lieut. 
Somers the other. The duty imposed upon them was 
of a nature the most hazardous ; as from the little wa- 
ter they drew, they could come almost into contact 
with the Bashaw's batteries and castle, where the nu- 
merous gun-boats of the Tripolitans were stationed. 
As this was one of the most desperate engagements 
amongst the numerous ones in which Capt. Decatur 
was ever called to display his personal prowess as well 
as his nautical skill and desperate courage, the reader 
will indulge the writer in detailing it particularly, as 
related to him by one of the officers on board the Con- 
stitution, lying in full view of the bloody «cene. 

The bombards, each carrying a mortar of thirteen 
inches, were commanded, one by Lieut. Commandant 
Dent, and the other by first Lieut. Robinson, of the 
Constitution. The Gun-boats were thus arranged, 
mounting each a brass twenty-six pounder. 



SECOND DIVISION. 
Boat No. IV. Capt. Decatur 
No. V. Lieut. Bainbridge 
No. VI. Lieut. Trippe 



FIRST DIVISION. 
No. I. Lieut. Somers 
No. II. Lieut. J. Decatur 
No. III. Lieut. Blake 



The Constitution, the Brigs and the Schooners, were 
to be situated to cover them from the fire of the batte- 
ri*^s an^ the castle, and to silence the tremendous can- 
nonade expected from more than two hundred pieces 
of heavy ordnance mounted in them, and on the ma- 
rine force of the enemy. Although the squadron had 



STEPHEN DBCATUft. 



117 



been long in the Mediterranean, the unceasing vigi- , 
lance and assiduity o^Com. Preble, Capt. Decatur, and 
the rest of the officers and seamen, had kept it in the 
most complete preparation for any service. The Bashaw 
was also prepared to receive them, and, (as he confi- 
dently expected,) to repulse them. Preble had not the 
most distant wish to enter the city with his small force. 
He was determined, if possible, to destroy the naval 
force, the batteries, and the castle of the enemy, and 
conquer them into peace upon his chosen element. 

Upon the 3d of August, the gales had subsided, and 
the Commodore resolved to commence an attack. The 
disparity of force between Preble and the Bashaw at 
Tripoli was much greater than that of Nelson and the 
king of Denmark at Copenhagen. At about half past 
ten o'clock, the two bombards from signals previously 
arranged, stood in for the town, followed by the whole 
squadron, in the most gallant style. More than two 
hundred of the Bashaw's guns were brought to bear 
directly upon the American squadron. Included in 
this force of the enemy, were one heavy armed Brig — 
two Schooners — two large Gallies, and nineteen Gun- 
boats each of superior force to those commanded by 
Capt. Decatur and Lieut. Semers ; as they mounted 
each a twenty four brass pounder in the bow, and two 
smaller guns in the stern. — The number of men in 
each boat of the enemy, wereforUj. In the six boats 
of our squadron, were, twenty-seven Americans, and 
thirteen Neapolitans each ; but as the latter, in close 
engagement, remained aghast in awe-struck astonish- 
ment, and declined boarding, they were of but Httle 
service. 



118 LIFE OF 

Thus, then, ^t the commencement of the engage- 
ment between the rival gun-boats, the different ibrces 
Stood : 



Tripolitan. 

Gun-boats ' 19 

Guns 57 

Olficers and Seamen 760 



American. 
(Gun-boats 6, Guns 6. 

Araerioans W ^ ^^^7 . ^ .^ 
Neapolitans 78 J 3/^^^^^ 

• To " mtike assurance doubly sure,^^ the enemy's gun- 
boats ^ere stationed directly under cover of the Ba- 
shaw's batteriJBS, and within gun-shot of thera. So per- 
fectly confident were their commanders of a decisive 
victory, that the sails of every one of them had been 
removed. Com. Preble had so placed his gqsiadron 
as to afford every possible aid to his two Bombards, and 
his six Gun-boats ; but his ulterior object was to pour 
his heaviest shot into the batteries, the cnstle and the 
town,— -knowing that if he dismayed the boasting Ba- 
shaw in his den, his affrighted slaves would flee in pro- 
miscuous consternation. 

The elevated roof of the palace, — the terraces of 
the houses, and every building capable of sustaining 
spectators were crowded to overflowing, to behold the 
triumph of Mahometans over Christians. 

At a little before 3 o'clock, the gallant Commodore 
made signal for general action. The bombards advan- 
ced ; and with a precision and rapidity, perfectly as- 
tonishing, poured their shells into the city. The im- 
mense force of the Bashaw immediately opened their 
whole batteries upon the squadion, from ti)e land and 
in the harbour. The Constitution, the Bri-s, and 
Schooners advanced within musket-shot of them, and 
answered the fire of the enemy. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



119 



Capt. Decatur, in the leading; gmi-boat of his division, 
followed by Lieutenants Bainbridge and Tripp.e, in 
Nos. 5 and 6, bore impetuously into the raijlst of the' 
enemy's windward division of nine Gun boats, consist- 
ing of the men and guns before mentioned. He had 
previously ordered his three boats to unship their.bow- 
sprit, as he and his dauntless comrades resolved to 
board the enemy. Lieut. Somers and his division 
were to follow aod support Capt.. Decatur's; but his 
and Lieut. Blake's boats had fallen so far to leeward 
that it was impossible. Lieut. James Decatur, of No. 
IL however, brought his boat into his intrepid broth- 
er's division, and entered into the engagement nearly 
at the same time with him. A contest more unequal 
cannot be imagined. As soon as the contending boats 
were brought into contact with each other, the dis- 
charge of the cannon and musketry on board of them 
almost entirely ceased, and the more bloody and de- 
structive struggle with swords, sabres, espontoons, 
spears, scimitars, and other deadly weapons succeeded. 
Capt. Decatur grappled an enemy's boat, full armed 
and full manned — leaped on board her — was followed 
by only fifteen Americans (little more than one third of 
the Tripolitans in numbers) and in the space of ten mi- 
nutes made her his prize. 

At this moment the American Gun-boats were 
brought within range of the Bashaw's batteries, which 
opened a tremendous cannonade upon them. Commo- 
dore Preble, perceiving the imminent danger, and the 
almost inevitable destruction of Capt. Decatur's divi- 
sion of boats, immediately ordered the signal for re- 
treat to be made. In the heat of the battle of Copen- 



1 20. LIFE OF 

hagen, Lord Parker ordered the signal for retreat to 
be made. One of Nelson's officers observed it, and re- 
minded-tbe. Admiral of the circumstance. He immedi- 
ately raised "his glass to his stone-blind eye — declared 
he ^'- could not see iV — and, at the hazard of his life, 
for disobedience of orders, gained one of his greatest 
victories. It was not so with the no less valiant Deca- 
tur. Amongst the numerous signals on board the Com- 
modore's ship, that for the retreat of the boats had 
been omitted. The dauntless Preble then advanced 
with the Cpnstitution, the Brigs, and the Schooners, 
to within three cable's length of the batteries — com- 
pletely silenced them by a ievi broadsides, and covered 
the retreat of the Gun-boats with their prizes. 

But a duty, encircled with peril without a parallel — 
an achievement to be performed without an equal — a 
display of affection surpassing the tales of romance — • 
and the «udden execution of vengeance upon trangres- 
sion remained for Capt. Decatur, before he left the 
blood-stained harbour of Tripoli. 

His gallant brother, Lieut. James Decatur, no less 
daring than himself, had captured a Tripolitan Gun- 
boat ; and, after it was surrendered to him, its com- 
mander, with diabolical pertidiousness, combined with 
dastardly ferocity, shot him dead, just as he was step- 
ping upon the deck ! While the Americans were re- 
covering thebody of their slain commander, the Turk 
escaped with the prize-boat. As Capt. Decatur was 
bearing his prize triumphantly outof the harbour, this 
heart- rending catastrophe was communicated to him. 

Instinctive vengeance sudden as the electric shock, 
took possession of his naturally humane and philan- 



STEPHElf DEOATUR. 121 

thropic soul. It was no time for pathetic lamentation. 
The mandate of nature and of nature's God cried aloud 
in his ear — "Avenge a brother's blood.". With a 
celerity, almost supernatural, he changed his course — 
rushed within the enemy's rekole line with his single, 
boat, with the gallant Macdonough and nine men only 
as his crew ! ! His previous desperate rencontre?, 
scarcely paralleled, and never surpassed in any age 
or country, seem like safety itself, when compared 
with what immediately followed. Like an ancient 
knight, in the days of chivalry, he scorned, on an occa- 
sion like this, to tarnish his sword with the bloo3 of 
vassals. His first object was to board the boat that 
contained the base and treacherous commander, whose 
hands still smoaked with the blood of his murdered 
brother. This gained, he forced his way through a 
crew of Turks, quadruple the number of his own, and, 
like an avenging messenger of the King of Terrors, 
singled out the guilty victim. The strong and power- 
ful Turk, first assailed him with alongespontoon, heav- 
ily ironed at the thrusting end. In attempting to cut 
oflfthe staff. Captain Decatur furiously struck tlie iron- 
ed part of the weapon, and broke his sword at the hilt. 
The Turk made a violent thrust, and wounded Deca- 
tur in his svvord arm and right breast. He suddenly 
wrested the weapon from the hand of his gigantic an- 
tagonist ; and, as one " doubly arm'd who hath his quar- 
rel just,"" he closed with him ; and, after a long, fierce, 
and doubtfiil struggle, prostrated him upon the deck. 
During this strugde, one of Decatur's crew, who had 
lost the use of both arms by severe wounds, beheld a 
U 



122 LIFE OF 

Turk", with an immense sabre, aiming a fatal blow at 
his adored commander. He immediately threw his 
mutilatffd body between the falling sabre and his Cap- 
tain's head — received a severe fracture in his own, and 
saved for his country one of its most distinguished 
champions, to fight its future battles upon the ocean. 

While Decatur and the Turk were struggling for 
life in the very'throiit of death, the exasperated aiid in- 
furiated crews rushed impetuously forward in defence 
of their respective Captains. The Turk drew a con- 
cealed dagger from its sheath, which Decatur seized at 
the moment it was entering his heart — drew his own 
pistol from his pocket, and instantly sent his furious 
foe — 

" To his long account, unanointed, unaneaPd, 

" With all his sins and imperfections on his head.'* 

Thus ended a conflict, feebly described, but dread- 
ful in the extreme. Capt. Decatur and all his men 
were severely wounded but four. The Turks lay 
killed and wounded in heaps around him. The boat 
was a floating Golgotha for the dead, and a bloody are- 
na for the wounded and dying. Capt. Decatur bore his 
second prize out of the harbour, as he had the first 
amidst a shower of ill directed shot from the astonished 
and bewildered enemy ; and conducted them both to 
the squadron. On board the two prizes, there were 
thirty-three officers and men killed, more than douhle 
the number of Americans under Decatur, at any one 
time in close engagement. T'wenty- seven were made 
prisoners, nineteen of whom were desperately wounded 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 123 

— the whole a miserable off-set for the blood of Lieut. 
Decatur, treacherously slain. The blood of all Trip- 
oli could not atone for it, nor a perpetual pilgcimage to 
Mecca wash away the bloody stain. 

While thus particular in describing this unparrallel- 
ed achievement of Captain Decatur, it is impossible to 
overlook the achiavements of his other associates io 
the Gun-boats. The gallant and lamented Lieut. Som- 
ers,as he c©uld not join Decatur as ordered, with his 
single boat No. I. attacked j?x)e full armed and full man- 
ned Tripolitan Gun-boats — committed dreadful slaugh- 
ter amongst them, and drove them upon the rocks in a 
condition dreadfully shattered. Lieut. Trippe, whose 
name will forever be associated with courage, as well 
as that of Midshipman Henly, with only nine men be- 
side themselves, rushed on board an enemy's Gun-boat 
— s]ew four teen, and made twenty-two prisoners, seven 
of whom were badly wounded. Lieut. Trippe received 
eleven sabre wounds. Lieut. Bainbridge, also distin- 
guished himself for saving his disabled boat and gallant 
erew from almost certain destruction, — and beating off 
the enemy. 

The Bombards, by the rapid and accurate directions 
of shells, spread as much consternation in the city as 
the squadron did in the harbour. The skillful and 
fearless Comm. Preble, in the noble Constitution, 
keeping his ««hip in easy motion, was found wherever 
tiie greatest danger threatened ; and by frequently 
wearing and tacking, gave perpetual annoyance to the 
enemy, and afforded to the smaller vessels of his squad- 
ron, constant protection. 

The enemy, driven to desperation, by the loss of 



124 LIFE OF 

Iheir boats, and by the numerous hosts of their com- 
rades slain upon land, as well as those who fell under 
their immediate view, attempted to rally, and regain 
what they had lost. They were suddenly foiled by 
the Brigs^and Schooners, who acted a no less gallant 
part in this desperate ocean-affray than all the rest of 
this immortalized squadron. They attempted a second 
time ; and met with a second repulse. Finding that no 
naval power in the Mediterranean could withstand an 
American squadron, they sought a covert under rocks, 
a natural, and under batteries and castles, artificial de- 
fences. 

At a little before 5 o'clock, the whole squadron, with 
(heir prizes, and prisoners, moved majestically out of 
theharbeur; and left the Bashaw to examine and re- 
flect upon the consequences of the third visit which 
Decatur had made him ; the last, under the immediate 
command of the veteran Preble, his commander in 
chief. 

The reader, who has past his early, advanced, and 
closing years of life, in the tranquil scenes of retire- 
ment, can form but a faint idea of the sensations of the 
officers and seamen of Comm. Preble's sqnadron, 
when they met each other after this desperate and most 
unequal combat. Every one would naturally enquire 
— " How many were killed and wounded in the Frig- 
ate — how many in the different Brigs, Schooners, Bom- 
bards and Gun-boats." It was for Capt. Decatur to 
make the aaswer. ^^ Many are wounded my comrades, 
but not 07ie is slain, but my brother." He might have 
said, — " If you have tears to shed, shed them now.^^ Well 
might the tears of grief be mingled with the smiles of 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 125 

triumph upon this saddening intelligence. '■yDeath 
loves a shinmg mark^^ — and when James Decatur fell, 
the American Navy lost a brilliant ornament — Comm. 
Preble a favorite officer— Capt. Decatur a brother 
he loved a8 he did himself, and our Republic a most 
gallant and accomplished ocean-wairiour. But like Nel- 
son, he died in the arms of victory, and his death was 
most signally avenged. 

As represented by an officer of the Constitution, 
when Captain Decatur, Lieut. Trippe, Macdonough, 
Henley and most of the officers and seamen, belonging 
to the Gun-boats joined the squadron, they looked as if 
ihej had just escaped from the slaughter-house. Their 
truly noble blood was mingled with that of Mahometans 
and crimsoned the garbs of those who would never be 
stained with dishonour. 

The injury sustained by the squadron sinks into noth- 
ing, when the danger it was exposed to is considered. 
This was owing to the consummate nautical skill and 
coolness of our officers and seamen, and to the stupid, 
sullen ignorance and consternation of the enemy. To 
them the 3rd of August was a day of dreadful retribu- 
tion. A furious tornado not nidre suddenly drives the 
feathered race to their covert?, than did the first dis- 
charges from our squadron, the frenzied Turks, who 
came to witness its discomfiture. From the represen- 
tation of an intelligent officer, once of the Philadelphia, 
then a prisoner to the Bashaw, it is learned, that every 
one in the city fled who could flee. Even the troops 
in the batteries and castle dared not mount the parapet 
to discharge the cannon. The affiigl-ted Bashaw, with 
a Mahometan priest, concealed himself in his bomb- 
11 * 



Jt2G LIFE OF 

proofroom; and undoubtldly responded to the roai 
of Cliristian cannon by pitiful orisons to the Prophet of 
Mecca., It was as fruitless as the prayers of the Philis- 
tines to Dagon or Asbdod. His slaves who had no cov- 
ert, buried themselves in sand to escape the bursting 
bombs. Although it was a scene of blood and carnage, 
there is enough of the ludicrous in it to excite a smile 
in the American reader. It clearly evinces that those 
who are most boastful and imperious, when possessed 
of real or supposed power, are the most mean, pusillan- 
imous, and contemptible, when convinced of their 
weakness. 

I will here present the reader with the sentiments of 
a distinguished Turk, in the language of an American 
officer, then a prisoner. He asked the officer-—" If 
those men that fought so were Americans, or infernals 
in Christian shape sent to destroy the sobs of Mahom- 
et the prophet ? The English, French, and Spanish 
consuls have told us that they are a young nation, and 
got their independence by means of France. That 
they had a small navy, and their officers were inexpe- 
rienced ; and that they were merely -a nation of mer- 
chants ; and that by taking their ships and men, we 
should get great ransoms. — Instead of this, their Pkeb- 
LE pays us a coin of shot, shells, and hard blows ; and 
sent a Decatur in a dark night, with a band of Chris- 
tian dogs, fierce and cruel as the tyger, who killed our 
brothers and burnt our ships before our eyes.''* 

By this first attack, the city of Tripoli suffered con- 
siderable damage. Many of the guns were dismount- 

* American Biographical Dictionary. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 127 

ed, and many Turks were slain. But it was in the 
Bashaw's marine force, where the mo«t destructive 
blow was struck. In the two prizes taken by Capt. 
Decatur, and the one by Lieut. Trippe, there were, 
ojiiginally, one hundred and twenty men. Fprty-seven 
were killed — tvventy-six wounded, who with the re- 
mainder, were taken prisoners. Three full-manned 
boats were sunk, with every soul on board ; and al- 
most every deck of the enemy's vessels, within the 
range of American cannon, were swept of their crews. 

In consequence of the destruction of the Philadel- 
phia frigate by Decatur, the barbarism of Jussuif, the 
bloody Bashaw, was increased against Capt. Bainbridge 
and his officers and seamen in bondage. But Commo- 
dore Preble and Capt. Decatur, aided by the magnani- 
mous and philanthropic exertions of Sir Alexander Ball, 
once a favorite officer with Nelson, and then at the 
Island of Malta, found means to alleviate the dismal 
gloom of their bondage. A gallant naval commander 
like Sir Alexander Ball, could not endure the thought 
that a gallant hero like Bainbridge and his noble crew, 
should suffer indignity or abuse from such a sanguinary 
wretch as Ju?s';ffand his slaves. 

After the 3rd of August, the humbled Bashaw began 
to relent. But his conviction was more the result of 
alarming ff^ars, than of a consciousness of. guilt. The 
noble hearted Decatur treated his wounded prisoners 
with the greatest humanity. Their wounds were 
dre'^sed wit.i the utmost care ; and, upon the 6th, he 
persuaded Commodore Preble to send fourteen of them 
home to their friends. In a generous bo?om, although 
an enemy, such an act would have excited inexpressi- 



12a 



LIFE OP 



ble admiration ; and althougR a species of revenge cal- 
culated to" h6a,p coats of fire upon the head'' of a sub- 
dued enemy, yet it must have melted an heart of ada- 
mant. The Bashaw knew that one of his officers had 
basely slaio the brother of the exalted Decatur ; and 
could not comprehend the motives of his humanity. 
His savage subtilty augured evil, even from an act of 
pure benevolence. But when he heard the restored 
and wduhded Tripolitans exclaim in the rapture of €71- 
forced gratitude — " The Americans in battle are fiercer 
than lions^ and after victory^ kinder than Mussnlmen'' 
his savage heart began to soften. But, without a great 
ransom, he would not release a single prisoner who 
belonged to the Philadelphia frigate. 

From the 3rd to the 7th of August, Comm. Pre- 
ble, Capt. Decatur, and the rest of the officers 
and seamen, had but little time for repose after their 
arduous toils in reaching the harbour of Tripoli, and 
administering to the Bashaw a portion of American 
vengeance. They were all incessantly engaged in 
preparing for another visit. Capt. Decatur had become 
perfectly familiar with the theatre of action on which 
the American squadron was now acting its various parts. 
Every scene was drawing toward the developement of 
the tragedy. The imperious tone of the Bashaw was 
lowered, as his hopes of safety diminished. He howev- 
er would surrender no prisoners without a ransom be- 
yond what Comm. Preble thought hi nself author- 
ised by his government to offer. He rather preferred 
to have Consul Lear negociate upon land ; and he felt 
confident of his powers to negociate with his invinci- 
ble squadron. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 129 

Capt. Decatur, indeed all the officers of every grade, 
and every seaman, exerted every nerve to aid Comm. 
Preble. They stood around him like »ffection-ate and 
obedient children around a beloved and dignified pa- 
rent, anxious to learn his precepts, and promfjt to Q^ey 
his commands. He stood in the midst of them in the. 
double capacity of their father, and a representative of 
his and their country. He knew they would follow 
wherever he would lead, and would lead where Neces- 
sary prudence would prevent him from following. 
Well might the astonished Turks compare them to 
lions ; for they had proved themselves irresistible in 
battle — generous and noble in victory. 



138 LIFB OF 



CHAPTER X. 

Capt. Decatur receives high commeodations/rom'Comm. Preble- 
-Grief at the death of Lieut. J. Decatur — Notice of Tiim— 
Proposala of the Commodore to the Bashaw — Renewal of the 
* attack upon Tripoli—Capt. Somers, Lieuts. Wadsworth and 
Israel enter into the squadron of the enemy's boats with the 
Ketch Intrepid as a fire ship — She explodes ! — Awful effects of 
the explosion — Reflection— Notice of Lieut. Wadsworth— Cora. 
Preble superseded by Comm. Barron — Brief notice of^EowARB 
Preble. 

» 
Capt. Decatur, having thus far taken such a distin- 
guished and leading part in all the gallant achievements 
in the naval warfare of America against Tripoli, it be- 
came indispensably necessary to be somewhat minute 
in describing them, in order to present him to the 
reader. 

For his unparalleled bravery, desperate courage, and 
unequalled success in the battle of the 3rd of August, 
Comm. Preble could bestow nothing but his highest and 
most unqualified commendation. This was not the 
mere eirusit)n of an admiring commander, surrounded 
by his victorious comrades around the festive board, 
after a signal victory, but it was officially announced to 
the whole squadron, in a " general order" upon the 
4th. The Commodore knew well where to bestow ap- 
plause, and when to make or rather to recommend pro- 
motion. His general order is in the Navy Department ; 
and as to promotion it was out of the question, as De- 
catur, although but twenty-five years of age, had reach- 
ed the highest grade in the American Navy. 



STEPHEN DEGATUR. 131; 

Amidst the congratulations iii the squadron far the 
successful issqe of the first attack upon Tripoli, a silent 
gloom irresistably pervaded the hearts of the officers 
and seamen. It .was not caused by contemplating upon 
the arduous and yet uncertain contest which- they Were 
directly to renew. Inured to duty, and- familiar with 
victory, they were total strangers to fear. But Lieut. 
James Decatur "was dead!" While they were float- ftjigl 
ing triumphantly upon the 'vaves of the Mediterranean, 
his body was reposing in death upon its bed, and his 
gallant spirit had flown to heaven. The shouts of joy 
over all Britain for the victory of Trafalgar, were min- 
gled with groaijs of grief for the death of Nelson. No 
less pungent was the sorrow of intrepid Americans at 
the fall of Lieut. Decatur. 

He had unremittingly pursued the duty of the naval 
profession from the time he entered the navy, until the 
day he was basely and treacherously slain. It is in- 
consistent with the design of this volume, to go into a 
minute detail of his life. The life of his admired broth- 
er is the object of it. Suffice it then to say, that by a 
long course of assiduous duty, in various ships of the 
American navy, and under dilTerent commanders, he 
secured to himself the confidence of his sttf)eriors, and 
the approbation of his government. The post assign- 
ed him upon the 3rd of August, evinced the high esti- 
mation in which he was holden by the discerning and 
penetrating Comm. Preble, The manner in which 
he discharged the duty imposed upon him, and the man- 
ner in whicli he fell, have already been mentioned. 
Hi? memory is embalmed with those of Somers, Wads- 
worth and Israel, who followed hmi into eternity, thir- 



t 



132 LIFE OF 

ty days after he left the world, and who made their ex- 
it from the same sanguinary theatre upon which he 
fell. 

The fearful, yet temporising Bashaw, through the 
medium of a foreign consul, offered terms to Preble 
which he indignantly rejected, as degrading to his gov- 
ernment. Upon the 7th, another attack was resolved 
upon, and the squadron arranged in order to execute 
it. The effect desired, was produced. A heavy batte- 
ry was silenced — many bomb-shells and round shot 
were thrown into the town — and, although the damage 
to the enemy was not so essential as the attack of the 
3rd, it increased the dismay of the Bashaw. — Amongst 
the Gun-boats engaged in this second attack, was one 
taken from the enemy by Decatur. She was blown up 
by a hot ball sent from the batteries, and Lieut. Cald- 
well, Midshipman Dorsey and eight seamen were kill- 
ed ; six were wounded ; and Midshipman Spence, with 
eleven seamen were rescued unhurt from the waves. 

Two days afterwards Commodore Preble took a de- 
liberate view of the harbour in one of the Brigs, in or- 
der to determine the best mode of commencing a third 
attack. He gave '* no sleep to the eyes nor slumber 
to the eyelids" of the sullen and incorrigible wretch 
who wielded the sceptre of blood-begotten power 
over his subjects, the wretched and degraded race of 
beings, who were dragging out a miserable existence in 
Tripoli. The hopes of the American prisoners in- 
c^ea^ed, as those of the Bashaw and his troops dimin- 
ished. The terms for ransom were lowered more than 
two thirds ; but Preble and Decatur had become stern 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 13;^ 

negociators ; and Mr. Lear chose to let them continue 
their diplomatic skill. 

The prospects of a protracted warfare— at an im- 
mense expense to the American government ; t^e te- 
dious and gloomy imprisonment of nearly half a thou- 
sand Americans in the dungeons of a barbarian, amongst 
whom were some of the noblest hearts that ever beat 
in human bosoms— the probability that more American 
blood must be shed in effecting a complete subjugation 
of the yet unyielding Bashaw, induced Comm. Preble to 
offer the sum of eighty thousand dollars as a ransom for 
the prisoners, and (en thousand dollars as presents, 
provided he would enter into a solemn and perpetual 
treaty with the American government never to demand 
an annual tribute as the price of peace. 

The infatuated and infuriated Bashaw rejected these 
proposals with afected disdain mingled with real fear. 
Comm. Preble had nothing now to do but to renew his 
naval operations. He could entertain no rational hopes 
from the romantic and chivalrous attempt of Gen. Eaton 
who had entered Derne ^vith the Ex-Bashaw C^r^l 
malli ; and with whom he had made a treaty Thi. 
unfortunate prince with his gallant general and his rab- 
ble-army could no sooner have entered the city of Tri- 
poli by land, guarded by more than 20,000 well armed 
Arabs, than one of the reigning Bashaw^s ga.Uies could 
have sunk the frigate Constitution.^ He therefore leh 

* Bee Chap. VIII. However much the reader may admire the 

almost unparalleled exertions of Eaton in the cause of Caramaili 

and regret the misfortunes of both, still the cool and reflecting 

statesman could never give his sanction to a project, so extreme! 

12 



1 34 LIFE OF 

it wholly with the American consul to arrange affairs 
with the august court of Tripoli, while he was deter- 
mined to " manage his own affairs in his own way*' with 
his squadron in the harbour. 

Capt. Decatur, the next in command to Comm. Preble, 
his confidential adv^iser, and the idol of every Ameri- 
can in the squadron, stimulated the whole to the exer- 
tion of their utmost energy. To repel the idea that 
the pacific offer of the Commodore arose from appre- 
hensions of defeat, the boTabards occasionally disgorged 
their destructive contents into the city ; when upon the 
27th Aug. another general attack was made with such 
effect as to induce the Bashaw to renew negociation* 
for peace, but nothing definitive was effected. Upon 
the 3d September, another attack was made to the very 
great injury of the Bashaw's batteries, castle and city. 

Although but few Americans had lost their lives in 
the various battles, yet the vessels of the squadron had 
suffered very considerable injury. Capt. Decatur pro- 
posed that the Ketch Intrepid, so often mentioned, which 
he had captured himself, and with which he had des- 
troyed the Philadelphia frigate, should be converted 
into ajireship, and sent into the midst of the enemy's 
gallies and gun-boats to complete their destruction. To 
this the Commodore acceded — loaded her with one 
hundred barrels of powder, and one hundred and fifty 
shells ; and fixed upon the night of the memorable 4th 
of September, for the daring and hazardous attempt. 

Capt. Decatur would gladly have commanded the 

ly difficult of accomplishment, with means so wholly incompe- 
tent. Eaton will never be forgotten ; but he will be remembered 
as a victim to his own romantic ambition. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 135 

expedition, and probably from his seniority might have 
claimed the command ; but his generosity to his beloved 
brother officers induced him to wave an opportunity of 
adding another to the numerous laurels that composed 
the garland of victory upon his brow. Capt. Somers 
volunteered his services and was designated as the 
commander ; he was immediately joined by Lieuts. 
"Wadsworth and Israel, and a sufficient number of gal- 
lant seamen. 

Although Capt. Decatur was but a spectator of the 
awfully tremendous scene that followed, the reader may 
be gratified by a succinct account of it as related by an 
accomplished eye-witness, to the writer. The eve- 
ning was unusually calm, and the sea scarcely present- 
ed the smallest wave to the eye. That part of the 
squadron which was not designated as a convoy to the 
Intrepid lay in the outer hnrbour. Two swift sailing 
boats were attached to the Intrepid, and the Argus, 
Vixen and Nautilus, were to conduct them to their 
destination, and receive the crew after the match was 
applied to the fatal train. At a little before nine o'clock, 
the Intrepid, followed by the convoy, moved slowly and 
silently into the inner harbour. Two of the enemy's 
heavy gallies, with more than a hundred men each, en- 
countered the fire-ship, unconscious that she whs 
pregnant with concealed magazines of death. They 
captured her of course as the little crew could not 
withstand such an overwhelming force for a moment. 
It being the first prize the Tripolitans had made, the 
exulting captors were about bearing her and the pris- 
oners triumphantly into port. The crew were to be 
immured in the same dungeon with Capt. Bainbridge 



136 LIFE OF 

and his crew, who had worn away eleven tedious monthg 
in dismal slavery. To Somers, Wadsworth and Israel, 

" One hour of virtuous liberty was worth 
An whole eternity oi bon4age,'*'> — 

and injitant death, far preferable to Turkish captivity. 
It is still left to conjecture and must always be so left, 
by whom Iheir instantaneous release from slavery and 
from mortality was occasioned. It is with an agitated 
heart and a trembling hand that it is recorded, that the 
Intrepid suddenly exploded and a ^e.vf gallant Americans 
witii countless numbers of barbarians, met with one 
common and undistinguished destruction. 

It is generally understood by American readers that 
Capt. Somers, his officers and crew, after being captur- 
ed, mutually agreed to make voluntary sacrifices of 
themselves, to avoid slavery and to destroy the enemy. 
In support of this, the writer is authorised to state that 
Capt. Somers, directly before entering into this enter- 
prise, declared that " he would never he captured by the 
memy or go into Turkish bondage.'''' 

It is entirely beyond the reach of the most- fertile 
imagination to form an adequate conception of the reality 
of this awful scene. The silence that preceded the 
approa>:h of the Intrepid, was followed by the discharge 
of cannon and musketry, and ended by the fearful and 
alarming shock of the explosion. Every living Chris- 
tian and Mahometan within view or hearing, stood 
aghast and a we-struck. 

For the/rs^ the only, and the last time in his life, 
Capt. Decatur was excited to a pitch of agonizing dis- 
tress. With agitated strides he paced his deck— cast 
his eyes into the harbour where his gallant brother. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 137 

thirty days before, was treacherously slain, and contem 
plated upon the fractured and mangled bodies of Soin-. 
ers, Wadsworth and Israel, sinking to a watery bed with 
him. If tears may ever bie permitted to bedevv the 
cheek of a warrior, it was a time to weep. If he could 
have avenged the deaths of his brothers by professi6n, 
as he had that of a brother by kindred, not a moment 
would have been spent in unavailing grief. But barba- 
rous enemies and endeared comrades met with one 
common destiny, and all was an outspread scene of de- 
solation. The remaining part of the night was as silent 
as the season that immediately succeeds some violent 
convulsion of nature. 

If the biographical writer could be allowed to blend 
his own " reflections and remarks^'' with the incidents 
and events he records, this momentous occurrence 
might justify them. It will, however, only be observ- 
ed, that Capt. Somers' memory has sometimes been as- 
sailed by those whose timid and scrupulous system of 
morals evinces a " zeal without kjiowledge.'''' Admitting 
that he made a voluntary sacrifice of himself, bis offi- 
cers, and his crew, to avenge the injuries of his countrj'- 
and rescue his numerous countrymen, in fall view, from 
bondage. Let the severest casuist that ever perverted 
the plain dictates of conscience, by metaphysical sub- 
tlety, be aj^ked if every man who eaters the Navy or 
Army of his country, does not voluntarily expose himself 
to death in (tefending its rights, its honour, and it^ inde- 
pendence ? No matter in what manner death is occa- 
sioned, so be it the sacrifice adds to the security and 
ndvaoces the glory of his country. Whether it liap- 
pens in the midst of opposing hosts, — in single combat, 

12 * 



138 



LIFE OF 



— or as that of Somers,and his companions did, by vol- 
• untary sacrifice, it equally redounds to their glory and 
their country's weal. To those who form their sys- 
tems exclusively, from the records of inspiration, ex- 
amples from them might be quoted ; and the instance 
•of Sampson alone, who fell with a host of his enemies, 
will not. By them, be denied as being analagous. The 
classical reader will immediately recollect that Rome 
herself was twice saved from destruction by the volun- 
tary sacrifice of the Decii. 

The writer hopes to be indulged in a brief allusion to 
*he gallant, the accomplished, the lamented Lieut. 
Wadsworth, with whom he had the honour and enjoy- 
ed th^ pleasure of some acquaintance. His birth- place 
and residence was in Portland, the metropolis of the 
state of Maine, and in the immediate neighbourhood of 
the great Preble. To a very elegant person, he added 
the captivating charms of a mind highly refined. His 
situation placed within his reach all the fascinating en- 
joyments of fashionable life ; but a participation in 
them, could not render him effeminate. The previous 
examples of Stephen and James Decatur inspired his ar- 
dent bosom with a thirst for naval glory, and this was 
enhanced by the renown acquired by his distinguished 
townsman, and naval fither, Cocnm. PreHle. He re- 
paired to the renowned sea, whose waves are bound- 
ed by three of the great quarters of the globe, and al 
most in the sight of which, the American sqaadron was 
triumphantly wafting. He did not envy, for envy found 
Tio place in his noble heart ; but he wished to emulate 
the gallant de<^ds of his brother officers. The disas- 
trous, yet splendid affair of the 4th of September, has 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 139 

been briefly detailed. Wadsworth upon that fatal, aw- 
ful night, left the world in a blaze of glory — gave his 
mangled corse to the waves — his exalted spirit to heav- 
en — and his immortal fame to his country. Although 
his precious manes are " Far away o^er the billow,^^ his 
virtues and gallantry are commemorated by a monu- 
ment in his native town, the voluntary tribute of his 
admiring friends to his inestimable worth. 

While the American squadron was achieving such 
unparralleled deeds in the Mediterranean, the Ameri- 
can government, yet unadvised of its splendid success^ 
dispatched ajop additional squadron to that sea. Fron> 
the state of the naval register, and the rank of the Post- 
Captains, the new squadron could not be supplied with 
officers without designating one who was senior to 
Comm Preble. This devolved upon Comm. Barron, 
who arrived upon the 9th of September 1804. 

To an aspiring hero just entering the path of fame, 
and anxious to reach its temple, a sudden check to his 
progress is like the stroke of death. It was not so with 
Comm. Preble when he was superseded by Comm. Bar- 
ron. His work was " done and well done;" and hesur- 
rendere i the squadron to his senior as Gen. Jackson did 
his army to Gen. Pinckney, when there was nothing to 
do but to enjoy the fruits of victory. 

He immeJiately gave the command of hi« favourite 
frigate the Co'jsfitiitiofi, to his favourite officer Capt. 
Decatur, and obtained leave to return to America. 

The parting «cene, as de(?cribed by one who witnessed 
and ^'ho felt it, was one of the most interesting that the 
mind can conceive. For more than a year the Com- 
modore and his gallant comrades had been absent from 



140 LIFE OF- 

their beloved country — nyear which' may be denomi- 
nated an age in the calendar of our then infant.tiavy — 
a period ofjsplendid and " successful experiment" with 
our ships, and of naval instruction «nd experience to 
our officers and seamen. Their attjichment had be- 
come cemented by common toils, common dangers, and 
common victories. The war-worn and veteran Preble 
gave the parting hand to his officers as a father to his 
children, and the signal of departure to his seamen as 
to a numerous group of admiring domestics. The first 
manifested a .dignified regret , mingled with conscious 
pride— the last gazed with noble grief, upon the last 
visible piece of canvass that wafted their beloved com- 
mander in chief from their view. 

Fully persuaded that the reader may be gratified with 
a very brief sketch of the life of Capt. Decatur's fa- 
vourite commander, and hi? immediate predecessor in 
the command of the frigate Constitution, it will here 
be attempted, however imperfectly it may be executed. 

Edward Preble was born in the town of Portland, 
State of Maine, upon the l^th August, 1761. His dar- 
ing and adventurous spirit in early life, could not be 
better gratified by his friend?, than by procuring for 
him the birth of a Midshipman in the little naval force 
suddenly created in the war of the Revolution. In this 
capacity he entered the ship " Protector'''' Capt. Wil- 
liams, in 1779, the year of Decatur's birth. The Pro- 
tector mounted twenty -six guns — upon her fir?t cruise, 
engaged the Admiral Z)2{^' of thiity-six guns — compel- 
led her to strike her flag — and was prevented from con- 
ducting her triurnphantly into an American port, by the 
explosion of the prize, immediately after her capture 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 141 

The humane crew of the Protector picked up about 
forty of the Adrairal,Duff's crew, and every other soul 
on board perished. Thus early did our naval heroes 
shew that genuine Jiumanity is ever blended with true 
courage. 

He next entered the sloop of war WinVirop as first 
Lieutenant, under Capt. Little. Finding a British Brig 
of superiour force, lying in the harbour of Penobscot, 
Lieut. Preble conceived the daring project of takir^g her 
by surprise. Capt. Little concluded to make the haz- 
ardous attempt. Preble was placed at the head of for- 
ty seaman ; and all were clad in white frocks. Upon 
the night in which the design was to be executed or 
defeated, as the fortune of naval warfare should deter- 
mine, Capt. Little run the VVinthrop along side the 
armed Brig, which lay near a considerable battery of 
cannon on shore. He was hailed by the enemy most 
vociferously, who exclaimed — " You will run aboard" 
Lieut. Preble, cooly answered — " Aye aye Sir, we are 
COMING aboard^'' — and instantly jumped into the brig, ' 
followed by only fourteen men, as the rest could not 
gain her by the violent motion of the vessel. While 
the Lieutenant was preparing for a desperate contest, 
the anxious Capt. Little hailed him, and asked him — 
*' Will you not have more. men .^" — The gallant Lieu- 
tenant, finding but little time to answer interrogatories 
particularly, exclaimed with a stentorian voice, *' JVo, 
Sir, we have more than we want ; we stand in each others'' 
way." The white frocks of the Americans, enabled 
them to distinguish each other, even in darkness. That 
part of the crew who had gained the deck jumped over- 
board, and swam ashore, which was within pistol shot. 



141 LIFE OP . 

Many below followed their example and leaped out of 
the' citbin window. The JLi^utenant, deliberately en- 
tered the cabin, where he found the officers either in 
bed ,or dressing. Hq sternly dismanded a surrender of 
th'ehri:^, assuring them that resistance was vain ; and 
mighty to them, prove disastro'is. The astonished Bri- 
tish officers could in vain call their men to quarters, 
for they had made a passage through the waves to the 
shore. They surrendered as gracefully as they could ; 
awd as Preble was conducting his prize out of port, tlie 
batteries apened upon it, and the infantry poured a 
harmless shower of musketry. This was amongst the 
most gallant deeds of the naval force in the Revolution- 
ary v/ar ; and placed Preble upon an eminence, upon 
which he ever stood to the day of his death. 

As the prototype of the gallant Decatur, he was by 
no means satisfied with one noble achievement as the 
foundation of his fame. He continued in the sloop of 
war Winthrop, in the assiduous discharge of duty, until 
the British crown acknowledged the independence of 
the American Republic. 

Then literally ended the small beginning of the Ame- 
rican Navy. But the scintillations of naval glory were 
not extinguished — they were only smothered — they 
were to be revived again into a blaze by the cheering 
breezes of national prosperity. 

It is not known to the writer that Lieut. Preble took 
any part in the naval warfare with France in the ad- 
ministration of Adams. The conclusion may fairly be 
made, that he did not ; as he certainly nould have 
been " heard from" if he had. But this is all conjac- 
ture. 



I 



, STEPHEN DECAJUR, 143 

In 1801, he was appointed to the command of the 
well-known frigate Essex, as Post-Captain, and pro- 
ceeded to the East Indies to afford protection and con- 
voy to the American trade in those seas. Not long af- 
ter his return, he was designated b_y government to 
take command of that squadron in which he, Capt. De- 
catur, and the brilliant list of American ocean-war- 
riours associated with them, were to give weight and 
character to American naval prowess^, amongst distant 
nations, who before knew Americans only as a nation 
of merchants, and upon whose commerce and citizens 
some of them had preyed with impunity. 

In tracing the life of Capt. Decatur from the time 
Comm. Preble took the command of the American 
squadron in the Mediterranean, until he retired from 
it, the writer was under the unavoidable necessity of 
blending with it that of the Commodore. It need not 
be here repeated. 

At the time he left the Mediterranean, it had become 
the theatre of his fame. Kis glory was familiar to the 
Pope at Rome ; and although his squadron belonged to 
a distant and Protestant nation, he declared that " All 
Christendom had not ejected in centuries^ uihat the Ame- 
rican squadron had accomplished in the space of a single 
year.'' The name of Preble, as commander in chief, 
and of Decatur his leading champion, resounded through 
all the maritime nations upon the shores of the Medi- 
terranean. Not only Tripoli, but all the Barbary pow- 
ers bordeing upon that sea, were held in check, and 
their indiscriminate depredation upon all the commer- 
cial world trading in its ports, enjoyed in a greater or 
less degree, the benelits arising from the presence, the 



\^4 LIFE OF 

vigilance, and the achievements of the American 
squadron. Eve« the jealousy of British qaval officers, 
for a time, gave place to the eflfusions of involuntary 
admiration. 

But it.wa^ in the bosom of his own beloved country 
where the veteran Commodore received demonstrations 
of respect and approbation most grateful to his patri- 
otic and noble heart. Particulars must be omitted. 
The American government, fully acquainted with his 
nautical skill, and duly appreciating his invaluable ser- 
vices, employed him to assist in arranging, systema- 
tising, and advancing the naval establishment of the 
Republic. He had conquered Tripoli into a peace, 
which was concluded in a few months after he returned 
to America. A vote of thanks, and a medal, were 
presented to him by Congress. 

He died in his native town, upon the 25th August, 
1807. He has a monument of his fame in the heart of 
every officer and seaman who ever served under him. 
It is enough to say that Stephen Decatur, never ceas- 
ed to express his unqualified admiration of the immortal 
Preble, until he was rendered immortal himself, and 
followed his beloved and adored naval patron into eter= 
nity. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. Hi 



CHAPTER XI. 

©apt. Decatur takes command of the frigate CoNSxiT.ifTioN — 
Perfection of discipline in the American Navy — He takes 
command of the frigate Congress. — Peace with Tripoli — 
Emancipation of Capt. Bainbridge, his officers and seamen — 
Meeting between thorn and Capt. Decatur, American officers 
and seamen of the Squadron — Captain Decatur returns to A- 
merica in the frigate Congress — Visits his father, Commodore 
Decatur, at Philadelphia — He is appointed Superintend ant of 
Gun-boats~MarriGs Miss Wheeler, of Norfolk, (Vir.)— Su- 
persedes Comm. Barron, and takes command of the fri- 
gate Chesapeake — " Affair of the Chesapeake" — Captain 
Decatur takes command of the Southern Squadron as Com- 
modore. 

Capt. Decatur, upon the r-^tirement of Comm. Pre- 
ble, from the American squadron, in the Mediterrane- 
an, found himself senior to all the officers of the ori^i- 
nal squadron, and, next in command to Comm. Barron 
who united the additional force with it, and assumed 
the chief command of the whole. 

As commander of the noble frigate Constitution, and 
of the gallant officers and seamen who had so long ser- 
ved under the immediate orders of Comm. Preble, 
Decatur felt as if a high degree of responsibility d'^^vol- 
ved upon him. It was the tirst frigate he ever com- 
manded, and he was the youngfst officer in the Ameri- 
can nav^y ever placed in so important a station. But 
although he had arrived only to that period of life when 
the characters of men generally begin to develope their 
permanent qualities, he had sq intently and assiduously 
13 



j;46 LIFE OF 

pursued thedutiesofhis profession- -had passed through 
so. many grades of office— had seen such a diversity of 
service, and had fought so many batttes, that he had 
become quahfied for a^y station in the navy. 

As the very respectable force brought into the Medi- 
terranean by Comm. Barron so essentially augmented 
the American squadron, the most efficient operations 
were probably expected to be immediately commenced. 
But the Bashaw was already sufficiently humbled. Ne- 
gociations were opened upon shore, and the nnited 
squHdi'ons had little more to perform than the sluggish 
and irksome duty of standing off and on, and awaiting 
the result of the deliberations at the Bashaw's palace. 

Capt. Decatur, after such a long series of incessant 
. duty, might well be supposed to need repose. But, 
ever ready to receive and execute the orders of his new 
commander, he remitted bo portion of his accustomed 
vigilance in preparing for it. While in command of the 
. Constitution, he enjoyed the society of the accomplish- 
' ed officers who remained in her, and who had partici- 
pated feb largely in the dangers the squadron had en- 
countered, and the victories it had gained. 

No event of s'lfficient interest to relate particularly, 
took place in relation to Capt. Decatur while on board 
the Constitution. It might be hazardous to say that 
■ the crew made great advances in the science ol naval 
tactic^ whilo under his command, as they had so long 
^c.ved under the accomplished Preble ; but it has ever 
been ackndwledged that Capt. Decatur was amongst 
the most strict and best qualified disciplinarians in the 
American Navy. This, if not the very first, is next to 
the first quality of a naval officer. Discipline has been 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 14% 

acquired *by all the American officers, and to a degree 
of perfection unknown even to the ©lde*t veteran Ad- 
mirals of Britain, who now enjoy the benefits of centuries 
of previous naval experience, whereas scarce a quarter 
of a century has passed since the American Navy has 
had existence. 

In rapturously, contemplating the splendid achieve- 
ments of Decatur, the reader is exceedingly prone to 
overlook the causes which have produced such won- 
derful effects. Even his unequalled personal courage 
in action, might have led him to the fate which almost 
invariably befals misdirected rashness, had he not tho- 
roughly acquired that nautical skill which enabled him 
to practise those masterly manoeuverings, which so of- 
ten baffled his most skilful adversaries. And also that 
military skill, which has given such complete perfection 
to Aoierican gunnery, and produced such rapid and tre- 
mendous effects upon the enemy. 

It is believed that this system may be called the 
AMERICAN NAVAL SYSTEM — and that it is retained as an 
arcanum with our naval officers. After the most dili- 
gent research, no publication could be found which de- 
veloped, what, to a landsman, seems as a mystery. This 
unquestionably is the dictate of the soundest policy. 
Superior skill to the enemy, gives an advantage next to 
that of superior courage ; and although Americans can- 
not pronounce all their enemies inferior in the last, it is 
perfectly honourable to conquer thein by superiority in 
the first ; and to maintain that superiority by conceal- 
ing the causes of it from them.* Gen. Washington, 

* After few naval victories in the war of 1812, a distinguish- 



148 LIFE OF 

whep indecorously interrogated, asked the itfquisitive 
■meddler — " Can you keep a secret, Sir. .^" — *' Certainly, 
Ica?i." — " So can /, 5Vr," the profound General repli- 
ed. The student o^ military tactics can find treatise 
giled upon treatise, from the pens of subalterns up to 
Major-Generals, and from the humble pamphlet to the 
ponderous octavo. Still it may be asked, have our 
officers in the army surpassed, or have they equalled 
those ofthenavy in an wnt/brm system of discipline ? 

After the lapse of some 'time, Capt. Decatur was re- 
moved from the Constitution to the frigate Congress a 
ship of inferior rate. Ever respectful to his commander 
in chief, and ever cheerful in the discharge of any duty 
assigned him, he pursued (he same undeviating course 
of discipline on board the Congress, as he ever had 
done from the days of his earliest promotion. Wher- 
ever he commanded, he possessed the rare faculty of 
infusing amongst the crew the spirit that pervaded hi« 
own bosom. Under him, rigid discipline became a 
pleasing pastime and duty a pleasure. 

ed British' writer, on the capture of the Boxer, thus expresses 
himself : " The fact seems to be but too clearly established, that 
the Aitiericans have some superior mode of firing ; and we cannot 
be too anxiously employed in discovering to what circumstances 
that superiority is owing." — Another British writer after lament- 
ing in the bitterness of grief, the loss of the Macedonian, says : 
''• It affords an additional ground to reflect and to enquire serious- 
ly into the strange causes which have rendered our relative circum- 
stances with respect to this new enemy, so different from what they 
have had hitherto to contend with.'*'' It is trusted they never will 
learn the Theory of American naval tactics — and the Practice of 
them they will not be disposed very soon to try again. A wri- 
ter of a system of cookery, directing how to dress a dolphin, 
gravely says—" In the first place, cateh a dolphin.''^ 



STEPHEIC DECATUR. 1,49 

NegC'ciations in the mQan time were lingering and 
progressing, delaying and advancing in. Tripoli. The 
severe animadversions in the American Journals at tbat 
day upon this subject, belong not to this volume. 
Whether the government ought to have supported and 
ratified the unofficial treaty made by Gen. Eaton, with 
the Ex-Bashaw, and to have restored the latter to his 
throne ; or to have rejected that made by Mr. Lear, 
an accredited tigent of the government, are qj^jestions 
not here to be discussed. Stephen Decatur, who had 
so nobly and courageously aided in driving the reigning 
Bashaw to negociate at all, had no hand nor voice in this 
diplomatic arrangement. 

Suffice it to say, that the sum of sixty thousand dollars 
was paid to the Bashaw — thi7'ty thousand dollars less 
than the gallant Preble, in the midst of victory, had of- 
fered ; and Jive hundred and forty thousand dollars less 
than the insolent Bashaw, in fancied security, had de- 
manded. The politician who is governed solely by 
money logic, would certainly be satisfied with this stip- 
ulation, especially as it was a sum insufficient to support 
the whole squadron for sixty days. But the dignified 
and patriotic statesman, who " surveys the whole 
ground" — who knows that peace was es-tablished after 
a long, hazardous, and, perhaps, {if continued) a d .ubt- 
ful contest — ^that ample provision was made for the free- 
dom and security of the American trade — and that, the 
noble and gallant Bais'biidge, his gallant officers and 
seamen, and other American citizens, to the number of 
near half a thousand, who had been incarcerated in 
dungeons for someyear?;, and none little I'^ss than eigh- 
teen months, were immediately discharged without the 
13* 



150 LIFE «F 

Ie.a?t ran^ojn, would unhesitatingly give his assent to this 

Amongst all the conseqneaces flowing from the peace 
with T'ipoji, no one vyas so perfectly well calculated 
to swt II -with exnlation such a heart as Decatur's, as 
the FPstorition of the prisoners; especially the crew 
of the Piiiladplpliia It vvas their bondage which had 

^[or mout!is st«niulr«ted him to the performance of deeds 
which^iitand unrivalled ijpon the lecortls of chivalrous 
coura2;e. It was to him, next to a propitious Provi- 
dence, that they owed their emancipation from a bon- 
dage, which as it iS unknown to Chri?:tian coimtries, 
can be but feebly portrayed in Cbri^tian language. 
Iri'iagine the noble Bainhridge, tho. g:diantPorier, Jones, 
and Biddle, hurlii g indignantly the cord* .that had long 

• bound t{«em, at their humbled oppressors, and tlipow- 
ing themselves into the arms of the enraptured Deca- 
tur, Hull, Lazvrence, Morris, Macdoanough. he. &c. 
emphatically their '' Deliverkks" — Conceive also the 
numerous crew , once more in freedom, manifesting by 
every token ofgratitude, their admiration for the cham- 
pions of their liberty, and anxious once more to fol- 
low them or any other commanders, in avenging the 
injuries, and adva cing the glory of their beloved 
country. Upon such an occasion as this, they might 
well give those tears to exulting joy, which had long 
been restrained by indignant grief 

Capt. Decatur, upon the conclusion of peace with 
Tripoli, took his departure, in the frigate Congress, 
from the M'^ditenranean, in which he had served near- 
ly four years, under Commodores Dale, Morris, and 
Preble. His fame had become /awi/iar with the Pope 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 151 

and Cardinals of Rome^with Italians, Neapolit ,ns, 
Sicilians, and Sardinians, evei> before it was generally 
known in his own country. But still the glory of his 
achievements were in a degree understood before he 
reached the shores of the American RepubUc. * 

The honours already conferred upon him by promo- 
tion over the heads of his seniors, by their voluntary 
consent — a vote of thanks for his skill, valour, and 
success, and the presentation of a sword as th^jnsig-' 
nia of his gallantry,* were fully enough to satisfy a he- 
ro of such consummate modesty as Decatur. But the 
spontaneous effusions of admiration, 

" Bursting uncall'd from evVy genVous heart," 
could not but be grateful and exhilirating to feelings 
like his. 

Upon his arrival at Philadelphia, he immediately re- 
paired to the country residence of his veteran and ven- 
erable father in the vicinity of that city. The inter- 
view between such a father and such a son, mu«t have 
been one of the most interesting that can be conceived 
by the most fertile and glowing imagination. It must 
have been cond'icted by ''Thoughts that breathe and 
words that burn,'" The father had lived to behold one 
son but ju?«t advanced into the years of manhood, load- 
ed with honours which would have graced an aged vet- 
eran. He had lived (such is the fate of battles and 
the decrees of heaven) to weep the fall of another 

* Vide Chap. VIII. It is believed this vote of thanks, and the 
present of a sword to Decatur, was the Jirsf bestowed upon any 
•fScer in the navy since the couclusion of the naval warfare with 
France. 



152 LIFE OF 

«on, treacherously slain, ^at this tribute , if hich na- 
ture paid to paternal affection, was mingled with the 
exalted consolation, that James Decatur fell in the 
arms of victory, unstained by a single act that could 
tarnish his escutcheon. He had also discovered in his 
soBj now before him, a display of paternal attachment, 
which led him, at the imminent hazard of his life, to 
avenge the death of his son, and his brother.* 

After the return of the Mediterranean squadron to 
America in 1805, the naval establishment was material- 
ly reduced. Many of the ships were laid up in ordina- 
ry — many of the officers retired upon half pay — some 
entered into the merchant service, as did the seamen 
generally. 

But so fully convinced was the government of the 
qualifications of Capt. Decatur to conduct the affairs 
of the navy in the peace establishment, that he was 
very soon ordered to superintend the Gun-Boats, which 
had increased to a very considerable amount at home, 
while our squadron was absent in the Mediterranean. 

As to the efficacy and utility of Gun Boats for at- 
tack or defence in mner harbours, and at the mouths of 
the numerous navigable streams in our vastly extensive, 
and rapidly extending Republic, the question will not 
be here discussed. It has however been discussed, 
and has been settled by naval characters. The reader 
has seen what was effected by only six Neapolitan. 
Gun-Boats, of inferior construction to those of our own 
in Tripoli ; and those acquainted with the history of the 
second war between America and Britain, know what 

*SeeOhap. IX. 



- STEPHEN DECATUR. 153 

they effected, wlierp opportunity offered, during that 
war. 

It was left Tor Capt. Decatur to introduce fnto^tlie 
Giin-Boats a system properly adapted to that species 
of naval armament. To this he devoted himself witK 
that assiduity which was in him a peculiar characteris- 
tic. 

To a superficial reasoner, the duty now assigned to 
Decatur would seem to be a degradation. For a com- 
mander of Frigates to superintend Gun-Boats, would 
leem to them, like an eagle which had soared amongst 
the clouds, humbling himself, by perching upon a shrub. 
Superficial indeed, is such reasoning. The man of in- 
nate greatness, is never too exalted, to devote attention 
to things that are small, and never so small, but that he 
can readily comprehend things that are great. Deca- 
tur in a Gun-Boat, was like Decatur in a Line-of Bat- 
tle Ship. — He could not become small by being in a 
small place. 

His duty was now of such a nature, as to afford him 
frequent opportunities to enjoy the accomplished and 
refined society of the larger towns upon the sea board. 
From the age of nineteen, to this period of his life,' he 
had been almost constantly upon the waves. Except- 
ing upon the occasional and very short periods he was 
in American ports, he had been, by his profession, com- 
pletely excluded frOm all society excepting that which 
he found in his own ships. More congenial spirits, to 
be sure, could not be associated, than those who were 
there bound together by the ''threefold cord'' of com- 
mon toils, common dangers, and common victories. 
Such a ligament could not be " easily broken ;" nor was 



154 LIFE OF 

it broken by Decatur, when he entered intd the fash- 
ionable circles of Norfolk in Virginia. 

it was no ordinary transition for an ocean-warriour, 
like Decatur, to leave the thundering theatre of Mars, 
and make his debut amidst the fascinating blandishments 
in the courts of Venus — where instead of parrying the 
thrust of Turkish spears and scimitars, he had only to 
ward off the harmless shafts of Cupid, flis ears, which 
had long been stunned with broadsides and b itteries of 
caanon, were now soothed " ijcith the soft lulling of the 
lute.^^ He could not however descend to the level of 
the more efTeminate courtier ; and, ^^ albert, unused to 
the melting mood^^ he, could not " pen doleful ballads to 
his mistress^ eyebrow." 

Capt. Decatur, although he had the poli.-h of the 
dignified gentleman, never divested himself of the en- 
gaging and frank .-implicity of the seaman. Kis noble 
yet tender bear', had lost none of its finer feelings by 
the scenes of blood, carnage and death, through which 
duty and couriytge Imd called hini to pass. To the most 
accornphshed, elevated and dignified females of our R.e- 
public, such a character mn^t be an o'cj' ct of real ad- 
miration. To their high honour they h-ive most un- 
henitatingij bestowed their hinds, their heart? and their 
foi%ur.-85 up'^n such manly heroes. The surviving offi- 
cers of our Nhvv and Army, after discharging their ar- 
duous d lives upon ihe ocean and ia the fiehl, may return 
to their domei^tic circles and find a rich reward for their 
toils in the end^-arlng attachment and intelligent society 
of their bosom companions. 

In monarchies, th^j marriages in ro?/a/ and noble fami- 
lies are most generally mere " matters of state ," or '* bar- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 155 

gai?i and sale,'' A prince and princess join in marriage, 
raore to unite two crowns than two .hearts. A duke, 
marquis, and count, marry, the one a duchess^the 9th- 
cr a marchioness, and the last a countess, to combine 
extensive domains together, and often find themselves 
disjoined forever. They roll along in miserable splen- 
dour through life, tormented and tormenting to the 
grave. 

In our young and rising Republic, especially amongst 
its gallant and heroic sons, and its exalted and refined 
daughters, no marriage articles, except the single one 
of a mutual exchange of hearts, are necessary. To 
speak of the marriage of the generous and heroic Capt. 
Decatur, to the justly celebrated, and accomplished 
Miss Wheeler of Norfolk in Virginia, is a subject too 
delicate for the untutored pen and the unpractised heart 
of the writer. Without resorting to the inflated lan- 
guage of romance, it may simply be said, that this union 
was the consummation of mutual bliss, and the source 
of uninterrupted felicity to the husband and to the wife, 
until it was dissolved by the premature stroke of death. 

Capt. Decatur continued in the superintendance of 
the Gun-boats, for a considerable period, and the effect 
of the system introduced among*t them was visible to 
every naval eye. But he was shortly to be removed 
from this service to another, if not of greater impor- 
tance, certainly of greater responsibility. 

The unfortunate occurrence, in the unfortunate fri- 
gate Chesapeake, although perhaps familiar with most 
readers, must be briefly alluded to, as it was connected 
with some of the most interesting events of Capt. De- 
catur's life ; and in alluding to it, the writer most sen- 



156 i-IFE OF 

sibly feels the delicacy of the subject. From this por- 
tion of these memoirs, he must necessarily glance for- 
ward to the conclusion ; and whenever the names of 
Decatur and Barron are mentioned in relation to each 
other, it will be done with th^ most scrupulous regard 
to truth ; and if errors intervene, they shall not be 
intentional. It is not the business of the biographer to 
obtrude his opinions upon the reader; but to furnish a 
faithful detail of facts and occurrences from which he 
can form one for himself 

Toward the close of the year 1806, the British sai- 
lors on board a prize, ordered for Halifax, rose upon 
the prize officer, conducted her to an American port, 
and deserted from the service of their country. Some 
time afterwards, four men from a British cruiser (the 
Halifax) lying off Norfolk, Vir. made their escape, ar- 
rived at Norfolk, and immediately enlisted under Lieut. 
Sinclair, and ^vere entered on board the Chesapeake, 
for which ship the Lieutenant was recruiting. The 
commander of the crui?er pursued the men— identified 
them, and demanded them of Lieut. Sinclair, who as 
a junior officer, referred him to Capt. Decatur. 

Whatever might have been the decision of the Cap- 
tain, if he had had power to decide the question, he 
too well understood his duty to arrogate to himself an 
authority which be did not possess. Lieut. Sinclair 
was serving under the commander of the Chesapeake, 
and to him was he accountable for his conduct. Capt. 
Decatur would not interfere. The men were not sur- 
rendered. At about the same time, four British sea- 
men deserted from the Melampus, a British vessel, and 
were entered on board the Chesapeake. Mr. Erskine, 



STEPHEN DECATUR. .157 

the then Britisl^ Minister in America, applied to the. 
government to surrender these British subjects, as 
they were declared to be ; but the governmeutdid not 
interfere. Admiral Berkley, then upon the American 
station, ordered Capt. Humphreys, of the Leopard, to 
take these men hy force, if not surrendered upon being 
claimed. 

Thus in brief stood affairs, with the Chesapeake fri- 
gate, when in the month of June, 1807, Comm. Barron 
put to sea in her as her commander. Capt. Humphreys 
fell in with the Chesapeake at sea ; and after hailing her, 
sent an officer on board with a letter to Comm. Barron, 
containing Admiral Berkley's orders; assuring the Com- 
modore that his duty compelled him to execute them. 
Comm. Barron reti^rned for answer, that there were no 
deserters on board the Chesapeake. Capt. Humphreys 

laid the Leopard close a-long side the Chesapeake 

hailed her again, and receiving no satisfactory answer, 
the Leopard poured into her a full broadside. The 
Chesapeake struck her colours without firingagun. Two 
British Lieutenants and a number of Midshipmen imme- 
diately went on board the Chesapeake — took three de- 
serters belonging to the Melampus, one to the Hali- 
fax, and some American seamen ; and then returned to 
the Leopard with them. The inquisitive reader can 
gratify a more minute curiosity than can here he satis- 
fied, by perusing the trial of Comm. James Barron, 
which followed after this disastrous event. 

Capt. Decatur was ordered to supersede Comm. 

Barron in the command of the Che-^apeake — a most 

painful duty ; as he had served under Comm. Barron in 

the Mediterranean, after he superseded Comm. Preble 

14 



I 58 LIFE ©F 

in the command of the American squadron in that sea. 
But it was not for Capt. Decatur to decline the com- 
mand of this ill-fated ship, in 1807, any more than it 
was for his favourite friend, Capt. Lawrence, in 1813, 
who fell gloriously in defending her. His language was 
—" Don't give up the ship." 

The "Affair of the Chesapeake" just briefly men- 
tioned, produced a ferment through the whole Repub- 
. lie. From New-Orleans to Canada — from the Atlan- 
tic to the waters of the Mississi'ppi, there seemed to be 
but one exclamation — ^^ My voice is still for war.' ^ The 
recent achievements of our gallant little Navy in the 
Mediterranean, under Preble, Decatur, &c. had ren- 
dered every keel that belonged to her, dear to Ameri- 
cans. They considered the Chesapeake as disgraced^ 
and the fame of the whole Navy, in some measure tar- 
7iished, by this outrageous violation of our national dig- 
nity and rights upon the ocean. It was in vain for the 
BritislTmii^ister, as the representative of the British 
crown, to disavow the act, unless it was accompanied 
^^"^'ith ample reparation and atonement, for the injury 
and the disgrace. 

Commodore* Decatur, in the frigate Chesapeake, 

* As this is the first time the appellation of Commodore has 
been attached to the name of Decatur in this work, some rea- 
ders may be led to suppose, that Commodore is a title in the na- 
vy, higher than that of Captain. The rank of Captain is the 
highest yet estabhshed in the American Navy. A Commodore is 
the senior officer in a squadron, and as circumstances might hap- 
pen, may be a Master-Commandant, a Lieutenant, or o. Midship- 
man. Even Comm. Perry and Coram. Macdonough, had not 
been promoted to Captains, when one conquered at Erie, and 



» 



STEPHEN DEGATUR. 159 

was ordered to take the command of the Southern 
Squadron. It was impossible for him to foresee what 
would be the result of the late unwarrantable and out- 
rageous attack upon the frigate he now commanded. 
He knew, however, that ^iiational ship, when travers- 
ing the ocean, was as sacred as national territory; and 
that to attack it, in a hostile manner, would justify the 
mostvigorous defence. He would never strike that 
flag under which he had so long sailed, and under which 
he had so often conquered, unless it were to an over- 
whelming superiority offeree. 

From the period Comm. Decatur entered into the 
command of the Southern Squadron in the Chesapeake 
frigate, until he was called upon for the discharge of 
more important duties, he devoted himself with un- 
wearied vigilance to the interest of that portion of the 
yet small American Navy that was in couimission. 

Were the writer disposed to swell this biographical 
memoir to three ponderous octavos, as Bc>sweli has the 
Life of Johnson, he might detail the numerous mincm^ 
incidents of Comm. Decatur's peculiarly interesting 
life, in the pleasing and interesting scenes of peace. 
In those charming scenes, he imparted high aniniation, 
and innocent hilarity to every circle he honoured by . 
his presence. Although the gentleman officer upon the 
quarter-deck, he was '' all the gentleman'" in the par- 
lour. He was easy, frank, <end accessible as a com- 
panion, and resorted to every familiarity not inconsis- 
tent with personal dignity, to banish that reserve which 

the other at Champlain. When afterwards promcied, Perry's 
commission was dated 10th Sept. 1813, and Macdonough's llth 
Ir^ept. 1814,— the days of their victories. 



i60 LIFE OF 

a consciousness of his superiority inspired in his asso- 
ciates. In those placid scenes, he seemed to wish for 
every one who surrounded him, to forget what he had 
been, and to regard him only for what he there was. 

But the subject paramount to all otlier considerations 
in the mind of Comm. Decatur, was, that of the Ameri- 
can Navy. Of that he never lost sight ; and he consid- 
ered every other enjoyment, amusement and pleasure, 
as secondary to those he partook, in, when advancing its 
prowess, and seeing its glory augmented. 

It was not his business to " settle the affairs of the 
Republic,"* which at this period of his life began to 
assume a lowering aspect ; and he knew too well the 
duty of a naval commander, to interfere in them. He 
only waited for the orders of his government, and held 
himself in constant readiness to execute them. 

The Berlin and Milan decrees of the Emperor of 
France, and the Orders in Couiicil of the court of St. 
James, produced a tremendous effect upon the vastly 
extended commerce of America. They amounted al- 
most to a war of extermination against American com- 
merce, and the wreck of it which remained, was sunk 
by the embargo laid by Congress upon American ves- 
sels. The " restrictive system'''' was justified by its ad- 
vocates upon the principle of Lex Talionis, or the law 
of retaliation. What effect it produced upon the com- 
merce of the Republic, or what coercion upon its ene- 
mies, has been demonstrated by its operation. From 
1807 to 1812, America could hardly be said to be at 
peace or at war with the great belligerent powers of 

* Vide Chap. XIIL 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 161 

Europe. Good cause for open hostilities it had against 
more than one of them ; but the pacific policy of our 
rulers chose to exhaust the last eiforts o{ NegocidXion, 
before they resorted to the last evil, a War. 

But the causes for war between America and Britain, 
were constantly accumulating ; and, like the latent 
fires of iEtnaand Vesuvius, increased in malignity the 
longer they were suppressed. Britain at this period 
was not only the greatest, but almost the only naval 
power in Europe. Nelson had not cnly conquered, 
but he had nearly annihilated the fleets of France, 
Spain, and Denmark ; and the only reason why that of 
the powerful Autocrat of Russia did not suffer the same 
fate, was, because his wary policy dictated to him not 
to expose it to certain destruction. 

Although distant nations scarcely ranked America 
with naval powers, yet the proud and jealous Ministers 
of George III. full well knew what the infant Navy of 
the Republic had accomplished in the Atlantic, at the 
close of the eighteenth, and in the Mediterranean, at 
the commencement of the nineteenth century. The 
names of Truxton, Preble and Decalur, reminded 
them of their own Duncan, Jervis and Nelson. Al- 
though the British government could not obliterate the 
fame of these American naval heroes, they wished to 
annihilate the little Navy in which they had acquired it. 
Hence the rude and outrageous attack upon the frigate 
Chesapeake, which Decatur now commanded, but 
which he did not command when she surrendered. Al- 
though the British government diplomatically disavow- 
ed the act, and tondered satisfaction and atonement, 
yet it secretly rejoiced that she became such an easv 
14* 



162 LIFE OF 

victim. Her naval commanders imagined that her fate 
v.^as the forerunner of that of every deck that carried 
American guns. 

Npxt to the American Navy, amongst the causes of 
British jealousy, was the almost boundless extent of 
American commerce. Americans for some years had 
been the carriers of almost all the belligerent powers 
in Europe ; and although Britain herself participated 
in the benefit of this " carrying trade," she could Eot 
endure that the Republic should rapidly grow rich and 
powerful by means of it. 

Comm. Decatur, while in the Chesapeake frigat? as 
commander of the Southern sqrtadron, had the double 
duty of watching British armed ships constantly hover- 
ing upon the American coast, uud enforcing the acts of 
the government regarding American vessels. 



STEPHEN DECATUR, 163 



CHAPTER XII. 

Commodore Decatur takes command of the Frigate United 
States — Interview with Capt. John Surnam, Carden, in time 
of peace — British Naval Officers on American station before 
the commencement of War — Declaration of War against G, 
Britain — Immense disparity of naval force between America 
and Britain — Comm. Decatur puts to sea from Nwe York, 
June 21st 1812 — Makes an extensive cruise and enters the 
port of Boston — Sails from thence 8th October — Upon the 25th 
captures the frigate :VlAcBDONiAN~His official account of the 
action — Length of, and incidents in the action — Meeting of 
Comm. Decatur and Capt. Carden — Dreadful slaughter 
in the Macedonian — Arrival of frigate United States and that 
ship at N'^w London — Reception of Flag at Washington — 
Arrival at New York— Reception there — Comm. Decatur's 
humanity. 

Comm. Decatur, in 1810, was ordered to take com- 
mand of the frigate United States, which was again fit* 
ted for sea, and put in commission. Ex'iilarHtirjg in- 
deed must have been the reflection, that he was now 
sole commander of the noble Frigate in which he com- 
menced his naval career in the humble capacity of Mid- 
shipman. A retrospective view of the scenes tiiroiigh 
which he had passed — the variety of vessels in which 
he had served and conquered — the numerous comman- 
erswhomheha^ assiduously obeyed and supported, were 
calrnlnted to prod'ice in his mind the most complicent 
delight. — At the same time, a glance into tuturitv excited 
his deepest solicitude. It was in his very nature to 
" press forward to the mark of the prize of his high 



164 LIFE OF 

calling." The glory he had acquired, and the high 
standing he held in the records of fame, instead of pro- 
ducing supineness, rather excited his vigilance. He 
knew that the character he had acquired, must still be 
supported ; and although he could scarcely hope to 
surpass the deeds he had already achieved, he was de- 
termined not to tarnish the brilliancy of them, by the 
rust of inaction. While the great Achilles was supine- 
ly reposing in his tent, the blustering Ajax was exciting 
the admiration of Agamemnon, and even the anxiety of 
Hector. 

Comm. Decatur, *' through the mind's eye," saw the 
storm which was gathering, and even lowering over 
his beloved country. Perfectly well acquainted with 
the power and the disposition of the enemy the Repub- 
lic was to encounter, he looked forward to the contest 
as to a dreadful struggle in which equals were to engage 
Having one common origin, but no longer any common 
interest, !^e knew that when Americans and Englishmen, 
the descendants of Saxons, met each other in hostile 
array, it would be an encounter, fierce in the extreme, 
and would remind the classical reader of ancient bat- 
tles— 

" When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war." 

So confident were the statesmen, who guided the 
destinies of America, that the just and equitable terms 
on which she would negociate, would eventuate in 
peace, that they were I'^ss vigilant in preparing for war 
than they would have been under a different state of 
things. The military spirit of Americans upon land, 
was almost lost in the luxuries which sudden wealth 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 165 

occasions ; and the declaration of the facetious Knight 
in regard to his solr'iers, might with some propriety be 
applied to ours. — " They were the cankers of a dull 
world and a lon-^ peace" — and although they might af- 
ford " food for powder and fill a pit" they- were Utile 
calculated at once, to meet the veterans who had re- 
cesitly conquered Portuguese, Spaniards and French- 
men ; hence the disasters of the army, in the campaigns 
of 1812 and 13, which awakened that martial fire that 
went on " conquering and to conquer" in 1614. 

The reverse of this picture may well apply to the 
gallant little American Navy. Although from 1805 to 
the commencement of the second war between the 
Republic and Britain, but a small portion of it was ia 
commission, or in service, the whole of it was, at all 
times, in prime order. The vigilance of the Navy De- 
partment, although it could not extend, it nevertheless 
preserved, our few ships, and kept them in constant 
readiness for any emergency. What was still more im- 
portant, Comm. Decatur, and the rest of the Post- 
Captains who were retained in service, would not per- 
mit the Naval spirit to slumber. 

Bainbridge, Rodgers, Porter, Hull, Stewart, Jones, 
Lawrence, Biddle, Morris, Macdonnough, Perry, 
Chauncey, and many other gallant and accomplished 
officers, were in the bosom of the country, ready at a 
moment's warning to enter again into its naval service. 

The seamen too, who had served under them, were 
ready and anxious to fly instantly to their standards, 
when called. 

Comm. Decatur, after he took the command of the 
frigate United States, visited most of the naval ports. 



166 tlFE OP 

His ship was the rall)'ing point of the Navy, and his 
presence infused animation into the bosom of every of- 
ficer and seaman who enjoyed his society. With acute 
penetration he discovered every error, in every spe- 
cies of naval armament, and with matchless skill, and 
" modest assurance," applied the corrective. 

Those kind of courtesies and civilities which gene- 
rally are interchanged between civil naval officers, be. 
longing to different nations at peace with each other, 
took place between Comm. Decatur aud the British na- 
val officers upon the American station. One of the in- 
terviews which passed, is too engaging to be omitted. 
Capt. JohnS. Carden, afterwards the gallant and brave 
commander of the frigate Macedonian, happened to en- 
joy one of those interesting interviews with Comm. 
Decatur. " Commodore," said the Captain, " we now 
meet as friends, and God grant we may never meet as 
enemies ; but we are subject to theorders of our go- 
vernments, and must obey them." — " I heartily recip- 
rocate the sentiment," said the ingenuous Decatur. 
" But," said Carden, (with that refined and elegant 
irony which one gentleman can practice upon another 
without offence.) " suppose, in the course of events, 
we should meet as enemies, what, Sir, do you imagine 
would be the consequences to yourself, and to the force 
you should command." " Why, Sir," said the hero 
of the Mediterranean (giving full credit to the gallantry 
of Carden, without forgetting what was due to his own 
character) " if we should meet with forces which mii^ht 
fairly be called equal, the conflict would undoubtedly 
be a severe one ; but the flag of my country should ne- 
ver leave the staff from which it waved^ as long a? 



-^^ STEPHEN DECATUR. 167 

there was a hull to support it." With what exquisite 
delight must these dfiuntle?s warriours have conteai- 
plated each others characters, after the frank expres- 
sion of such exalted sentiments ? Over a vast expanse 
of ocean from the place of this interview, these men 
of inflexible honour, and unparalleled heroism, again 
met upon the deck of the frigate United States : but 
this belongs to a future part of these Sketches. 

Had all the British ships, which for years previous 
to the commences: ent of hostilities, were hovering up- 
on the American coast, had such commanders as Capt. 
Garden, the frigate Chesapeake would never have been 
disgraced by Humphreys of the Leopard; and Bing. 
ham of the Little Belt would not have owed his exist- 
ence to the sparing mercy of Comm. Rodgers of the 
frigate President. Many of these little great British 
officers, who owed their greatness to the reflections of 
a beam from the lustre of Nelson's glory — 

" Dressed up in a little brief authority— 
*^Most confident of what they were least assured 
"Play'd most fantastic tricks before high heaven"— - 

and although, to pursue the quotation, they might not 
have " made the angels weep" they excited the indig- 
nation of their own more dignified countrymen, and the 
sovereign contempt of such men as Rodgers and De- 
catur, who well understood their characters. While 
Americans are ever prompt to pay due irespect to the 
merits of Hotham, Hardy, and Garden, even though 
enemies, they feel an ineffable disgust at such beings at 
Humphreys and Bingham — Cockburn, Beresford, and 



168 LIFE OF ^♦^ 

Stackpole. Lest this language should be deemed acri- 
monious and un iuthorised, I would just remind the 
readfer again^ that Hamphreys attacked the frigate 
Chesapeake, and Bingham the frigate President, in 
pnie of peace — that Cockburn violated every principle 
ofcivihzed warfare on the borders of Chesapeake bay, 
and applied the torch to the Capitol, President's house 
and national library at Washington — that Beresford 
stripped the gallant Jones and his crew almost naked, 
when his 74 took the little Wasp of 18 guns — and that 
the blustering Stackpole, in the Statira, of 44 declined, 
on fair and equal grounds, to tight Capt. Jones when he 
commanded the Macedonian, in time of war. It ought 
to be the motto of every impartial historian and biog- 
rapher : ^'^ Judex damnatur^ cum nocens absolvitur/'' 

Passing over numerous interesting incidents in the 
life of Comm. Decatur, of minor importance however, 
we now approach to that period when the constituted 
authorities of the American Republic, having resorted 
to eve.iy measure consistent with the national dignity 
to avoid an " appeal to arms ;" and publishing to the 
world a manifesto, detailing the causes for the impor- 
tant measure ; declared that war existed between the 
United States of America and the United Kingdom of 
Great Britain. It was not for the officers and seamen 
of the Navy, nor the officers and soldiers of the Army to 
discuss tiie question, whether this declaration was 
founded in justice, necessity, or expediency; and al- 
though the ardent political partizan, in the fervour of 
misguided zeal, might declare it to be unjast unnecessa- 
ry, wicked^ and unnatural^ it was the business of the 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 169 

Navy to sustain the national rights and honor upon the 
ocean, and of the Army to protect and defend our terri- 
tory against every hostile invader. The 19th of June, 
1812 forms an era in our history httle less important 
than the 4th of July 1776. It called upon the patriotic 
sons of the Republic to maintain that independence 
which was proclaimed by that venerable body of gigan- 
tic statesmen, the " Old Congress," and which was es= 
tabhshed by the be^t blood that ever flowed in man. 

The etfect this declaration had upon Comm. Deca- 
tur, and the matchless baud of his brother officers and 
aeamen, was suddenly developed. In every naval 
port, and upon every deck that mounted a gun, were 
heard the rapid '* notes of dreadful preparation." 

Never, since the discovery of the magnetic needle 
had covered oceans with merchantmen of almost bound- 
less wealth, and armed ships of often resistless power, 
was a contest entered into between rival nations upon 
the watery element with such an immense disparity of 
force. The Vut of the naval force of Britam, from 
1812, when war commenced, to 1815, when it ended, 
numbered from seven hundred and fifty to one thousand 
sail— from first rates of 120 guns to Schooners. There 
was not a ship belonging to any power in A^ia, Africa 
or Europe that presumed to raise a hostile flag against 
them. To annihilate the handful of American ships, 
it was concluded by British officers it was only necessa- 
ry to Jind them. 

Let the table be reversed, and the American naval 
force in 1812 will appear to that of Bntnin, like a wart 
to a mountain. << Look upon this picture and upon that.'" 
15 



i7U LIFE OF 

The zivhole force which Comm. Decatur and his associ 
ates had at jpommand was : — 



United States i Rate 

Constitution > 44 

President ) 

Constellation ) 

Congress > 3G 

Chesapeake ) 

Essex > r,s) 

Adams \ ^"^ 
John Adams i24 

Ijouisiana ) 
Hornet 
Wasp 



18 



Oneida 

Syren J. 16 

Argus 

Enterprize 

Rattlesnake 

Nautilus 

Vixen 

Viper " 12 

Vixen 



14 



This httle catalogue of ships ought to be in the me- 
mory of every lover of American greatness ; and al- 
though the whole of them carried less weight of metal 
than would have " the six Seventy-Fours" otice ordered 
to be built by the government, yet their achievements 
in the progress of the war, inflicted a wound upon the 
enemy which will never be healed, and sh^d rays of 
glory upon the American character which will never 
be obscured. 

it surely must excite the astonishment as well as the 
admiration of the reader, that Comm. Decatur, every 
officer and every seaman on board the frigate United 
States, was in complete readiness to weigh anchor, and 
actually sailed from New York, 21st June, within forty- 
eight hours after the declaration of war was made at the 
seat cf government, and one hour after he received the 
intelligence. The good wishes of every patriot heart, 
and the fervent prayers of every sincere Christian, in 
the innnense throng that witnessed his departure, fol- 
lowed him and hi? ship's company, ^s they wafted off 
into the Atlantic ocean. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. l7l 

He now entered into a new theatre of action, and was 
approaching into a contest, with to him, a new enemy. 
He had witnessed the conquests of the little American 
squadron over the naval forces of France in the warfare 
with that power in the administration of Adams. He 
had himself been the most prominent and distinguished 
leader in the brilliant and unsurpassed victories in the 
Mediterranean, over Tripoli, in the administration of 
Jeffersoiv. Bat he was now, (in the administration of 
MAorsoN,) to enter into a contest with the oce.an-war- 
riours of Britain, who, so far from acknowledging any 
human beings that traversed the ocean as their equals, 
smiled at the idea that any should presume to oppose 
them. 

Better understanding the nature of naval service than 
to suppose that, because Americans had conquered 
Frenchmen and Tripolitans, they could, of course, con- 
quer Britons, his utniost solicitude was excited ; and, 
after commencing his cruise, he assiduously endeavour- 
ed to impress upon the officers and seamen of his ship, 
the magnitude and importance of the service upon 
which they had entered. In his First Lieutenant, W. 
H. Allen, he recognized the perfect seaman, and noticed, 
with admiration, the accuracy and precision with which 
he disci[)lined the crew. Instead of reposmg in his 
cabin, and suffering that ennui w.hich lisllessness pro- 
duces, Comm. Decatur was constantly on the alert. 
He did not assume that alTected greatness which ren- 
ders an officer indifferent to the minutia of duty ; but 
possessed that real greatness which led him to attend 
to the smallest, and readily to comprehend the greatest 
concerns of his ship. Although he was sailing in a 



i72 £.1FE OF 

squadron under the command of Comm. Rodgers, he 
made his ship his own province^ and felt himself exclu- 
sively responsible for her management. 

The first cruise of the frigate United States was a 
very extensive one. She was off the English Channel 
— along the coast of France, Spain and Portugal, to 
within thirty miles of the rock of Lisbon. She made 
the island of Madeira, and laid off Cora and Floros. 
She cruised along the banks of Newfoundland, the coast 
of Nova Scotia ; indeed she traversed those portions 
of the Atlantic where there was the greatest probabili- 
ty of making an impression upon British commerce 5 
and, what was more urgently desired by her comman- 
der, to try her metal with an equal British force. Al- 
though a number of prizes and prisoners were taken, 
the frigate United States returned with the squadron, 
without having signalized herself any otherwise than 
by the daring cruise she had made, in the very face of 
the enemy, and by enabling an imniense number of 
American merchantmen to return home richly laden. 

But superior joys were in store for him upon hii 
arrival. The achievements of his gallant and admired 
friend, Capt. Hull ; and no less gallant Lieut. Morris, 
who was next to his right arm in the destruction of the 
frigate Philadelphia, imparted a rapture to his heart, 
little less exhilarating than if he had achieved an equal 
deed himself When he beheld the Flag of the Gurriere 
in the hands of his Mediterranean comrades, who, with 
him, had so often made the Turkish Crescent bow, the 
measure of his delight was full. When next he saw 
the Flag of the Alert in the possession of the gallant Por- 
ter, who was rescued from Turkish bondage by his 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 17>3 

achievements, his happiness was farther augmented. 
They were cheering auguries of the additional laurels 
which were shortly to be added to the garland that gra- 
ced his own brow. 

Comra. Decatur, in the frigate United States, sailed 
from Boston on the 8th October, upon his second 
cruise. Instead of encountering the foe, his ship en- 
dured severe struggles in gales of wind ; but she was 
destined to survive them, and to conquer the enemy. 

Nothing else of note occurred, until the memorable 
25th of October, 1812. Upon that auspicious morn- 
ing the cheering notes — "A ship of war to windward" 
resounded through the noble frigate. Every heart on 
board swelled with enthusiasm, and needed nothing to 
arouse them to courage. The cool and collected, yet 
animated manner of the Commodore, infused confidence 
and heroism into every bosom. The ship was instantly 
cleared for action — and all hands repaired to quarters. 

The official account of the action which followed, is 
with the highest pleasure, incorporated into this vol- 
ume. 

U. S, S. United States, at Sea, 
October 30, 1812. 
The Hon. Paul Hamilton, 

SiK — 1 have the honour to inform you, that on the 
2oi\\ inst. being in the lat. 29 N. long 29 30 W. we fell 
in with, and, after an action of an hour and an half, cap- 
tured his Britannic Majesty's ship Macedonian, com- 
manded by Capt. John Garden, and mounting 49 car- 
nage giirs (the odd gun snifting.) She is a frigate of 
the largest cla.-**, two years old, t'bur months out of dock, 
and reputed one of the best mailers m the British ser- 
16* 



174 LIFE OF 

vice. The enein)' being to windward, had the adyaii' 
tage 01 engaging ns at his own distance, which was so 
great, that for the first half hour we did not use our 
carronadps, and at no moment was he within the com- 
plete effiict of our musketry or grape — to this circum- 
stance and a heavy swell, which was on at the time, I 
ascribe the unueual length of the action. 

The enthusiasm of every oflicer, seaman and marine 
on board this ship on discovering the enemy — their 
steady conduct in battle, and precision of their fire, 
could not be surpassed. Where all met my fullest ex- 
pectations, it would be unjust in me to discriminate. 
Fertnit me, however, to recommend to your particular 
notice, my First Lieutenant, Wm. H. Allen. He has 
served with me upwards of five years, and to his unre- 
mitted exertions in disciplining the crew, is to be impu- 
ted the obvious superiority of our gunnery exhibited 
in the result of the contest. 

Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded on both 
sides. Our loss, compared with that of the enemy, 
will appear small. Amongst our v/ounded, you will 
observe the name of Lieut. Funk, who died in a few 
hours after the action — he was an officer of great gal- 
lantry and promise, and the service has sustained a 
«evere loss in his death. 

The Macedonian lost herMizen-mast, fore and main 
top masts and main yard, and was much cut up in her 
hull. The damage sustained by this ship was not such 
as to render her return into port necessary, and had I 
not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, 
should have continued our cruise. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 175 

With the highest consideration and respect, 1 am, sir, 
your obedient humble servant. 

(Signed) STEPHEN DECATUR. 

List of killed and zoounded on board the United States, 
Thomas Brown, New-York, seaman ; Henry Shep- 
herd, Philadelphia, do. ; Wm. Murray, Boston, a boy ; 
Michael O'Donnel, New-York, private marine ; John 
Roberts, do. do. — Killed. 

John Mercer Funk, Philadelphia, Lieut. ; John 
Archibald, New-York, carpenter's crew ; Christian 
Clark, do. seaman ; George Christopher, do. ordinary 
seaman ; George Mahar, do. do. ; Wm. James, do. do. ; 
John Laton,do. private marine — Wounded. 

On board the Macedonian there were thirty-six kill- 
ed, and sixty-eight wounded. Among the former were 
the boatswain, one master's mate, and the school-mas- 
ter, and of the latter were the tir*t and third Heutenants, 
one master's mate, and two midshipmen. 

For brevity, modesty, and perspicuity, we may safely 
challenge the admirers of the official accounts of our 
naval victories, to produce anyone tnat suipasses this 
of Comm. Decatur's. Admired they generally are, not 
only by the American reader, but even Englishmen, in 
the midi^t of the chagrin and mortification they feel 
vhile reading them, involuntarily express thtir admi- 
ration. In speaking of the capture of the Macedonian, 
and Decatur's oflicial account of it, a distinguished Bri- 
tish writer thus forcibly expresses himself: — " While 
we see British superiority upon the ocean thus disputed, 
and the victory of Americans thus described, we know 



176 



LIFE OF 



not which most'to' admire, fhe heroism of Decatur in 
Captunpg the Macedonian, or his modesty in de^ribing 
the battle." 

■ Oiie great cause of exultation at our naval victories, 
has been the very short time in which they have been 
achieved. Comm. Decatur assig;ns the reason for the 
*' unusual length of the action''' (only 90 minutes) — 
"The enemy, being to windward, had the advantage of 
engaging us at his own distance, &c." — The language 
of the naval court-martial who tried Capt. Garden for 
losing his ship, is this — " The court is of opinion, that 
previous to the commencement of the action, trom an 
over-anxiety to keep the weather-gage, an opportunity 
was lost of closing with the enemy.' — It was an " op- 
portunity lost" to Comm, Decatur, by the "over-anxi- 
ety" oi Capt. Carden. " Closing with the enemy" was 
a lesson which the commander of the frigate United 
States thoroughly learned, and effectually practised in 
the Mediterranean during the war with Tripoli ; and 
had he have been so fortunate as to have had the 
weatber-gage of the Macedonian, and Nelson had been 
a spectator of the contest, he would have exclaimed of 
D'^catur, as he did of his favourite Colhngwood at the 
battle of Trafalgar — "-See in what style the noble fellow 
carries his ship into action " 

Comm. Decatur had onboard his frigate a little boy, 
whose father, a noble seaman, had died and left the little 
fellow and his mother in poverty. As the Macedonian 
hove in sight, and the seamen of the United States fri- 
gate were clearing ship for action, the t».oble lad run up 
to the Commodore, saying — ^' Captain, i wish myumne 
might be put down on the roll" — '' Why so my lad ?'' 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 177 

*' So that I can draw a share of the prize moaey, Sir," 
answered the young hero. His request wa&granted ; 
after the Macedonian struck, the Commodore called the 
lad to him — " Well Bill, we have taken her, and your 
share of the prize, if we get her safe in, may be about 
^^200— what will you do with it ?" — " Til send half of 
it to my mother. Sir, and the other half shall send me 
to school." Delighted with a spirit so noble, and yet 
so affectionate, he took the fine little fellow into his pro- 
tection — obtained for him a Midshipman's warrant — at- 
tended to his education — and he now bids fair to emu- 
late and possibly to equal the achievements of his noble 
patron. 

In the hottest of the engagement, and at the moment 
the mizen-mast of the Macedonian went by the board, 
a seaman actively engaged in working his gun, exclaim- 
ed to his comrades — " Aye, aye, we have made a Brig 
of her." Being overheard by the Commodore, he 
said, " Well my boys, take good sight at your object, 
and she will soon be a sloop ; and immediately turning 
to another gunner, said — " My good fellow, aim at the 
yellow," [a stripe in the Macedonian between wind and 
water] ^'^ her rigging \s going fast enough; she must 
have a little more hulling.'^ A favourite comrade of one 
of the seamen having fallen desperately wounded by 
his side, he exclaimed, " ah my poor fellow, I must at- 
tend to the enemy a few minutes longer — his colours 
must soon come down ; and then 1 will attend to you" 
— " Let me live till I hear that" said the agonized hero, 
*' and I shall want attention from nobody." 

That admirable seaman, 1st Lieut. W. H. Allen, in 
this action, beheld the practical result of the discipline 



178 LIFE OP 

he had introduced into this noble ship, and unrivalled 
crew, and which occasioned Comm. DecE?tur's high 
commendation. So rapid was the firing, and so com- 
pletely was the frigate at one time enveloped in fire 
and smoke, that the crew of the Macedonian gave three 
cheers, supposing her to be on fire. Their cheers 
were soon converted to groans by the thickening mes- 
sengers of death which poured into their ill fated ship. 
After the Macedonian strucfe her colours, andl^er 
commander ascended the quarter deck of the United 
States, a scene peculiarly affecting followed. With a 
dignified grace, he approached Comrii. Decatur and of- 
fered him his sword. With a benign suavity, and a 
manner wholly unassuming, the Commodore said, '" Sir, 
I cannot receive the sword of a man who has so bravely 
defended his ship, but I will receive your hand." It 
was the I and of Ca})t. Joh?i Surnain Car den, with whom 
hehadtne interf-ting interview mentioned in a prece- 
ding chRpt?r. Upon recognizing each other, silence 
wa? the raist impressive eloquence. The fortune of 
baitKs h id placed one gallant hero in the hands of 
another ; and ;thpy steadfastly looked at each other 
V. ' WxO'^i' kind of feelings which would be disgraced by 
any de^^rriplion. The aff^ihle grace of Comm. Deca- 
tur, put ^'-e gallant C irden as mnch at ease as a con- 
quered ne^-o could be placed in the hour of defeat. He 
had left his ship almost a complete -.vreck, and could 
discover bat little of tiie rfferts of the severe conflict 
in the frigate that had so effectually conquered her. 
The Macedonian, vvhep she struck, was in a state little 
better than that of the Gurriere, Java and Peacock; 
the last of which sunk even before the whole crew 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 179 

could be taken out, and .the two*other§ w«ere abandon- 
ed by the captors and sunk. -^ 1, / 

But the injury done to the ship is forgotten when the 
slaughter made amongst the crew is considered. An 
officer of .the frigate United States, besides communi- 
cating many other interesting particuh^rs, thus express- 
es himself: — " After securing our prisoners, I was sent 
on board the prize to assist in fitting her out, which we 
did in a few days yndeir jury-masts. 1 assure you the 
scene she exhibited just after the action, was distress- 
ing to humanity. Fragments of the dead were distribu- 
ted in every direction — the decks covered with blood — 
on^ontinued agonizing yell of the unhappy, wounded 
victims : — a scene so horrible of my fellow creatures, I 
assure you, deprived me very much of the pleasure of 
victory." 

It will be recollected that the official report states 
the killed on board the Macedonian to be 36 — wounded 
— 68. Fifty-three of the wounded died afterwjycds of 
their wounds ; making 89 in the whole ; — more lives 
than were lost by the Americans in all their battles 
with the Tripolitans ! And, what will astonish every 
reader, who has not, like the writer, critically examined 
every official report to ascertain the fact — this loss of 
human lives on board the Macedonian, by instant death 
or wounds which proved mortal, was greater than that 
of the Americans in ev^ry one of the actions between 
" single ships, where victories were won ; and also in 
the victory upon Lake Erie, during the war with Great 
Britain ! Equally astonishing is it that this loss is only 
six less that, that sustained by the Essex, of 32 guns, in 
the unparalleled contest with the frigate Phosbe of 36 — 



180 LIFE QF 

and sloop ef war Cherub, of 28-eof the President 44 
with the Majestic (razee) frigates Endymion, Pomone, 
Tenedos, and brig Despatch — and of the Argus of 18 
with the Pelican of 21 guns ! — 

An important duty yet remained for Comm. Decatur 
to perform — to conduct his ship and his shattered prize 
over an immense and wide spread ocean, filled, in al- 
most every direction, with vigilant and powerful ene- 
- mies, and to reach an American port. Although the 
uniform courtesy and hospitality of the Commodore, 
made Capt. Garden " forget that he was a prisoner," 
yet he might well hope to be recaptured ; and see the 
frigate United States, with the Macedonian, enteriiag a 
British port. But another destiny awaited the perse- 
vering Decatur. It was for him to carry into port the 
first British frigate ever captured by a single frigate ; 
and it was for the little town of New London, in Con- 
necticut, to be the first to welcome the returning con- 
queror, with the trophy of his victory. 

He entered that port upon the 4th day of December, 
1812, with the frigate United States in prime order .; 
and the noble Jkfaccciomaw which exhibited occular de- 
monstration that " she had seen service.''^ Although 
once anongst the newest, and by all acknowledged the 
first rate frigate in the whole of the immense navy of 
Britain, she now belonged to the *' Navy List" of Ame- 
rica. The arrival of Comm Decatur called forth eve- 
ry demonstrntion of joy that could be evinced by the 
patriotic citizens of New-London. That town and its 
vicinity, had always been a victim to British r^ipacity, 
ever since the British crown commenced the trade of 
war upon Americans. Its citizens now had before their 



STEPlto DECATUR. 18] 

eyes one evidence at'least. that the claws of the British 
Lion might be rendered harmless by the talons of the 
American Eagle. 

. But little room can be spared for notices of the nu- 
merous and fl;itteri:;g evidences of joy, evinced at the 
arrival of Coram. Decatur at Neiv-London. The May- 
or, Aldermen, and Common Council of that city, pre- 
sented him their thanks. Thpy could offer no h'iglijgr 
proof of their admiration. A .^^plendid ball was given 
in honour of the laurelled hero. He was charmed, 
again to witness the scenes of innocent festivity ; but 
the fascinating tones of the violin, and the changes and- 
pron^enades of graceful nymphs, were no more' pleas- 
ing t5 him, than the shrill sound of the Boatswain's 
pipe, calling all hands, and the animating thrill of the 
bugie, summoning to the battles of his country. 

Upon his arrival at New-London, he immediately 
dispatched one of his accomplished and brave Lieuten- 
ants, Mr. Hamilton, to Washington, with the flag of 
the Macedonian, and his despatches. Lieut. Hamilton 
arrived at the metropolis upon the eveninic of the 8th 
December. A more happy combination" of circum- 
stances cannot be imagined. It was upon the evening 
of a ball given in honour of the naval officers general- 
ly, and more particularly to one of the first of that 
gallant baud, Capt. Charles Stewart. Not only the 
beauty and fashion of the city, but much of the patri- 
otism and talents of the Republic were drawn together 
upon the joyous occasion. The graces were presiding 
over the festivities of the hall, and directing the move- 
ments of the - mazy dance." A whisper ran rapidly 
through the party, like a shock of electricity around 
16 



182 LIFE OF 

a combined circle. It was suddenly announced that 
a/io?/ierflag of a British Ship of War had bnen brought 
to ^h^ city. Every heart was palpitating with joy, and 
"Torgot it? previous raptures." The party dismissed 
their d-elightful amusemetits, and waited for the '' full 
fruition of joy." It was incipient joy when Liei-t. Ha- 
milton entered the hall — it was joy consummated^ wKeD 
the noble Capts. Hull and Stewait triumphantly bore the 
flag of the Macedonian through the enraptured assembly, 
and presented it to the dignified and elevated Mrs. Ma- 
dison who was present. Those who had not the hap- 
piness to witness this scene may — 

ti Talk of beauties that they never saw, 



And fancy raptures that they nevei knew." 

The Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Paul Hamilton, 
his wife and daughter, were also present, and passed 
the embraces of ihQ father^ the mother^ and the sister, 
with Lieut. Hamilton. Assembled around the festive 
board, ove of the managers gave for the toast — 
*' Commodore Decatur, and the officers and crew 

OF THE frigate UniTED StaTES." 

The tender and impassioned language of affection 
and admiration, was instantly changed to the most en- 
thusiastic plaudits. The hall reverberated with the 
glory of Decatur. Memory called to view the cap- 
ture of the Ketch Intrepid— ihQ destruction of the Phi- 
ladelphia Frigate — the battle with the Tripolitan Gun- 
Boais — the death of the Turk who murdered Lieut. 
James Decatur — and the flag of the Macedonian was 
suspended in the hall, with those of the G^irriere and 
the Alert, 



STEPH)BN DECATUR. 183 

Coram. Decatur, in the me^ time, was preparing to 
conduct the frigates United States and Macedonian to 
New-York. He arrived in that port with them upon 
the first day of January, 1813, having been many days 
detained by adverse winds. He anchored the Macedo- 
nian at the Wallabout for repairs, and left the deck of 
the frigate United States, to enter once more the city 
from which he silled m one hour after the declaration 
of war waa officially announced to him. 

It would be totally inconsistent with the limits and 
de-ign of this volume, to enter into particular details of 
all the manifestations of respert shewn to Comm. De- 
catur. He could not be indifferent to them ; but his 
modesty made him shrink from the glaring display of 
them. 

Comm. Decatur here met with two former associates 
when in the Mediterranean — Capts- Isaac Hull and 
Jacob Jones. The last he had, by his valour, emanci- 
pated from a bondage of oighteen months in a Tripoli- 
tan dungeon — he now saluted him as a champion, vic- 
torious over a superior British force. He forgot the 
victory of the frigate United States over the Macedoni- 
an, when contemplating that of the Wasp over the 
Frolic. 

The corporation, and citizens of New-York, ever 
foremost in rewarding patriotism and valour, displayed 
their ho.-pitality upon the occasion of Comm. Decatur's 
arrival, in a style of splendour unsurpassed. It was not 
a more dinner to which he was invited — it was to a 
scene elucidating the highest taste, the finest arrange- 
ments, and the most noble sentiments. A capacious 
kail wascolonaded with masts of ships, and the flags of 



l^i LIFE OF 

all the world were suspended upon them. Upon each 
table was a miniature ship, displa}'iijg the "star-span- 
gled banner" of America. An area of about 20, by 10 
feet, was filled with water, and a miniature of the Unit- 
ed States frij^ate was floating in it. A mainsail 33, by 
16 feet was suspended in the rear of the artificial lake, 
upon which was painted the American Eagle, holding in 
his beak a scroll with these words — "Our children 

ARE THE PROPERTY OF OUR COUNTRY."* One bcautl- 

ful transparency repre ented the American Eagle, hold- 
ing in his mouth three medallions. Upon one was in- 
scribed "Hull and the Gurriere" — on another-r— 
" Jones and the Frolic" — on another — " DECATUR 
AND THE MACEDONIAN." Another splendid trans- 
parency represented the frigate Constitution taking 
the Gurriere in a blaze — Atigust 19th 1812 — The 
frigate United States taking the Macedonian, Oct. 
'25th, 181 2.~The Wasp, taking the Frolic, Nov. 18th, 
1812. Upon displaying these inimitable representa- 
tions, tlie whole conipany expressed their feelings by 
nine animated cheers. 

The feelings of these gallant men may be conceived 
but cannot be described. After they retired, amongst 
various other sentiments given on the occasion, was the 
following, which althomgh it has rather too much of that 
species of humour called /JM/iww^, is nevertheless ex- 
tremely forcible, when understood. — " The three na- 
val Architects — Hull, who at one stroke laid the keels 

* A reference to the second chapter of this volume, will ex- 
plain the appropriate meaning of tliis sentiment— worthy jjf the 
best Roman, in the best days of Rome. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



185 



ode.n hulh* — JoxNes who raised the frames — DECA- 
TUR, who gave the finishing stroke.''' 

The corporation of the city of New- York, also gave 
to the whole crew of the frigate United States, a splen- 
did dinner, in the same halt in which Comm. Decatur 
dined. The decorations were precisely as just descri- 
bed, excepting the lake in which the miniature frigate 
wafted, which was filled with grog, but produced not 
the least excess amongst these well disciplined sailors. 
The crew exceeded 400, and were neatly dressed in 
bluejackets and trowsers, scarlet vests, and glazed 
hats. As they marched from the frigate to the City- 
Hotel, reiterated applauses were given by the citizens. 
The splendour of the hall — the miniature lake and frig- 
ate — and above all, the transparances of the victories 
of th^: United States, Constitution, and Wasp, carried 
theirastonishment alm^stto delirium. The boatswain's 
whistle kept them in perfect order, and "Yankee Doo- 
dle," from the inimitable band of the Macedonian, in- 
spired them with ardent patriotism. Af'er dinner, the 
boatswain thus answered Alderman Vanderbilt's ele- 
gant address. 

"In behalf of my shipmates, I return our sincere 
thank- to the corporation of the city of New- York, for 
the h>nour which they this day have done us. Rest 
as-urod. Sir, that it will i e al-ways our wish, to deserve 
the good Oj inion of our countrymen." Tliree hearty 
cheers, fro n i\\Q whole crew, evinced their approba- 
tion of toe boatswain's sentiments. Tliey then drank 



* The "/en AmZ/s" alluded to ao Act of Congress, then receci 
?y passed for building/owr 74's and six Frigates. 

16* 



186 LIFE OP 

to this toast, so perfectly in character with American 
tars — 

" American ships, all over the ocean, '^ 
At this time, Comm Decatur, and his accomplished 
Lieutenant, W. H. Allen, entered the hall. The pres- 
ence of the Commodore heightened their previous 
rapture. He gave as a toast- — 

" Free trade and no impressments,'''' 
which was received with an enthusiasm peculiar to 
sailors. He communicated to them the request of the 
managers of the Theatre, that they would attend in the 
evening ; and the whole pit was appropriated for their 
accommodation. The Commodore addressed them 
nearly in these words — " Sailors 1— Your orderly and 
decorous conduct this day, gives me high satisfaction. 
C6ntinue it through this evening ; and convince the 
hospitable and patriotic citizens of New- York, that you 
can maintain the same order in the midst of amusements 
as you have done, when sailing upon the ocean and con- 
quering the enemy." It was answered by the well 
known and respectful salute of sailors. The admira- 
ble band of the Macedonian again cheered them with 
patriotic airs. Excejiting the lowering of an enemy's 
flag, this world could not afford a scene more exhilara- 
ting to such a man as Stephen Decatur. 

One act of noble munificence in this truly noble crew, 
must not be omitted. Upon receiving their prize mo- 
ney, every one of the seamen immediately paid two 
dollars each, making a fund of nearly nme hundred dol- 
lars, for the benefit of the orphan ciiildren oi John Ar 
chibald, who died by wounds received in the action 
with the Macedonian. Comm. Decatur placed the mo- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 187 

ney in the hands of suitable trustees, and received 
from the father of Archibald, an address of thanks, 
couched in the impressive language of a grateful heart. 
But he looked his gratitude more forcibly than he ex- 
pressed it. On such an occasion — 

"A glance sends volumes to the heart) 
While words impassioned die,^"* 

The benevolent, the humane, the generous Deca- 
tur, upon this, and on numerous other occasions, en- 
jo3'ed — "the luxury of doing good." It was not to hi3 
friends alone, to whom he extended the helping hand 
of humanity — to his enemies, when not inconsistent 
with his duty, he was a ministering angel of mercy. 

When he took possession of the Macedorian, he 
found her filled, not only with every munition and ma- 
terial of war, but vvith almost all the luxuries of the 
palace. He found an opportunity to i'epay the accom- 
plished and gallant Capt. Garden for the many civili- 
ties he had shewn to American officers, while upon the 
American station. E-.ery thing in the ship which be- 
longed to the government as prize, he scrupulously ac- 
counted for ; but every individual article that belong- 
ed to the officers and seamen, he punctiliously restor- 
ed, or liberally paid for. Capt. Garden had the fii - 
est band of music in the British N;ivy, and the choic- 
est supply of wine, &c, for his own cabin. The-se and 
other conveniences to the amount of nearly a thousa- d 
dollars, Gomm. Decatur pnid him for. Let tl;e face of 
the commander of the Poictiers 74, be crimsoned with 
shame, or turn pale with fear, when reini nled that af- 
ter capturing the Wasp, 18, he deprived the gallant 



188 ^ LIFE OP 

Capt. Jones and his crew of every article except the 
clothes that covered their bodies ; and that these no- 
ble Americans never shifted their dress, until they 
were exchanged, and arrived in a cartel in America.* 
Let another fact connected with the Macedonian which 
this same Capt. Jones was appointed to command, be 
mentioned by way of contrast between the American 
and British governments, and between A nerican and 
British naval officers. The following is an extract 
from the Muster Roil of the Macedonian, when cap- 
tured by Comm. Decatur. 

*' Christopher Dodije, American, aged 32. prest by 
the Thisbe, late Dedaigneuse, shipped in the Macedo- 
nian July 1, IblO. 

Peter Johnson, American, aged 32, prest by the De- 
dalus, entered Auguj^t 24, 1810. 

John Alexander, of Cape Ann, aged 29, prest by the 
Dedalos, entered August 26, 1810. 

C. Dolphin, of Connecticut, aged 22, prest by the 
Namur, late Ceres, entered A ign.-?i 4, 1810. 

Major Cook, of Baltimore, aii^d 27, pr'^st by the 
Royal William, late Merciry, i-r.terod Sept. 10, 1810. 

William Thompson, oi Boston, aged 20, prest at Lis- 

* When the gallant seaman of the late sh^p Wasp arrived at 
the seat of goveratnent, the Secretary of the Navy, and otiier 
gentlemen visited th<^m in their d'stitute situation ; the Secreta- 
ry shook them each by the hand--- applauded them for their gal- 
lantry in action, and fortitude under privations ; and gave or- 
ders for an im=Qediate supply of every comfort and convenience. 
Thc'j^e men ever afterwards would fight desperately against thr 
brutal enemy, and valiantly fur their country. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. « 189 

bon, entered Jan. 16, 1811, drowned at sea in board- 
ing an American. 

John Wallis, Amerir.an, a2:ftd 23, prest by the Tri- 
ton, entered Feb. io, 1811, killed in action in the Ma- 
cedonian! 

John Card, American, aged 27, prest by the North 
Star, entered April 13, 1811, killed in action in the 
Macedonian !" 

Let the vaunting " Queen of the Ocean'' boast of 
her thousand ships and matchless commanders ; and 
as Macbeth shuddered at the ghost of Banquo, let her 
shudder at the ghosts of Thompson^ Wallis and Card^ 
compelled to fight their own countrymen, and perhaps 
to spill their brother's blood. But their blood has 
been avenged, so far as man can avenge ; and it is for 
that Being who " reigns in the armies of heaven above" 
to administer eternal justice. 



190 • LIFE OP 



CHAPTER Xm. 

Honours conferred upon Comm. Decatur — He takes command 
of a Squadron — Immense disparity between American and 
British Naval force on the "American coast — List of both — 
Comm. Decatur sails from New York in Squadron — His ship 
struck by lightning — Sads for a !;:iish 74 — Retreats lo New 
London — Prepares for defence — Ra~ es — British Squadro - — 
Contrast between Hardy and CocA;6/irw.— Stralag nis or '^\ ar 
— Passport for the bodies of Lawrence and Ludlow — Comm. 
Deaatur attempts to escape — Blue Lights — Steam Frigate — 
Challenge to the enemy — Impressed seamen — Dignified and 
humane oiOQcers — Comm. Decatur and Comm. Ai acdonough. 

Comm. Decatur might now be said to be at the zenith 
of glory. Honours flowed in upon him in such rapid 
succe-!sion, that if the thirst fr tame and the appetite 
for glory could ever be sati fi^^d, Ac r-ight uell say '' it 
is enough" — and ^et, when acknovvh'd'img the honours 
conferred upon him and his gallant othcers and seamen, 
his unassuming laisguage was — '• may i hey stimulate 

, us TO ACTS MORE PROPuRTIOMED TO THc.IK APPROBA- 
TION." It might well be asked wiiat deeus could De- 
catur perform, that would be " more proportioned" 
to the highest approbation that could be bestowed than 
what he had already achieved ? 1 do not here allude 
to his last achievement — brilliant as it surely was, it 
was even surpassed by those of his early life, and such 
I trust is the opinion of the readers of these imperfect 
sketches. 

Promotion he could not receive, for at twenty-five, 
he reached the highest j^rade of office in the Americaa 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 191 

Navy. The almost endless series of promotions in the 
Navy of Britain, opens a wide door for her officers to 
pass throuiih to F)aval honours. Admirals, and vice- 
Ado:irals— Adinirals of the white, the red, and the blue, 
and Rear- Admirals almost ad injinitiiin, afford titles of 
honour to a numerous host of officers, whether they 
have e-arned them by deeds of valour, or acquired them 
by rou ■' favouritism. The titles of Jw^e, earl, marquis, 
viscount, baronet and kmght, are also within the gift of the 
cr-wn ; and it will be recollected that plain Capt. 
Broke of the Snannon, was " dubbed a knight'* for 
capturing by a fortunate circumstance, the ill starred 
frigate Chesapeake, after she had fairly beaten the 
Shannon. 

The most grateful reward to the gallant and noble 
Decatur, was the thanks of his government, and the ap- 
plause of his countrymen. They were far higher in 
his estimation, than a dukedom, or peerage with a 
princely estate, torn from the hard earnings of humble 
and patient industry. These he enjoyed in full frui- 
tion. Nor were they new honours to him. Ten years 
before, he received from Congress, his commission, a 

VOTE OF THANKS, and a SWORD. 

The CoRGREss OF THE United States voted their 
thanks to Comm. Decatur, his Officers and Seamen, 
for the capture of the Macedonian — a gold medal to 
him, and a silve^ one to each of his officers. 

The State Legislatures of Pennsylvania and Massa- 
chusetts also voted thanks to the Commodore, his Offi- 
cers and Seamen — and the Legislature of Virginia pre- 
sented elegant swords to him, and to Lieuts. W. H. 
Allen, and J. B. Nicholson, for the same achievement. 



192 LIFE OF 

The Citizens of Philadelphia, (for " those who knew 
him b^st, lovc'l him most' ') presented him with a svvord 
of pure solid gold, of little less value than one thou- 
sand dollars. Perhaps the pecuniary value of it ought 
not to be mentioned ; as neither the givers or the re- 
ceiver thought of it in any other point of view, than as 
a token of admiration on the one part, and an evidence 
on the other of consummate skill, gallant courage, and 
devoted patriotism. 

Sumptuous public dinners, and splendid public balls, 
were given to the Commodore wherever he could be 
found ; and had duty or inclmation led him to travel by 
land, he unque^ytionably would have been urged, and 
almost compelled, to h^ve eaten a7id danced his passage 
through the whole Republic. But he rather preferred 
to make another attempt to fight his passage o^er the 
ocean, through the thickening ships of the enemy, 
which, at this period, almost encircled the whole 
country. 

Comm. Decatur, soon after his return to America, 
from his second brilliant cruise, was -appointed to the 
command of a Squadron, consisting of the frigate Uni- 
ted States (his flag ship) — the frigate Macedonia?i, Capt. 
Jones — and the Sloop of War Hornet, Capt. Biddle. 
These gallant and persevering officers devoted them- 
selves, with unceasing assiduity, in fitting their ships 
for sea. The Frigate U. States, and the Sloop Hornet, 
notwithstanding the first had recently captiired a first 
rate British Frigate, and the last had sunk a British 
ship of superior force, needed but little repairs ; yet 
the Macedonian was rendered almost a wreck, and 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 193 

needed thorough repairs. The Squadron was fitted for 
sea by the 24th May, 1813. 

While preparing this Squadron for sea, Comm. De- 
catur, Capts. Jones and Biddle, enjoyed the high satis- 
faction of learning the splendid victory of the noble and 
gallant Comm. Bainbridge, of the frigate Constitution^ 
over the British frigate Java, Capt. Lambert, and that 
of Capt. Lawrence, of the sloop of war Hornet, over 
the British sloop of war Peacock, Capt. Peake. The 
history of Naval Warfare scarcely affords a parallel 
with these two victories. The new and elegant ship 
Java all but sunk in the action, and was afterwards 
blown up as a worthless wreck — her commander mor- 
tally wounded — 60 men killed, and 170 wounded. 
The sloop of war Peacock, one of the finest of her 
class, sunk even before the whole of the conquered 
crew could be gotten on board the Hornet. What en- 
hanced the interest of these victories, was the delight- 
ful, and yet glorious association of ideas. The writer 
has frequently, in the later periods of Comm. Deca- 
tur's life, recurred back to his Mediterranean achieve- 
ments. How forcibly may we recur to them in this 
place ? Bainbridge, Jones and Biddle, were once in 
the most dismal bondage in Tripoli — Decatur and Laa;- 
rcwce led in the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia, 
which hastened their emancipation ! They commenced 
their naval intimacy in scenes of common dangers, and 
common misery — it had now advanced to the high ex- 
ultation of common victories obtained by them all over 
the mistress of the ocean. Never had a whole class of 
men so much reason to admire each other, as the A- 
merican Naval Officers, who began their career of suf 
17 



J 94 



LIFE OF 



ierings and victory in the Mediterranean, and who have 
so gloriously conquered in the Atlantic. 

The innm^^nse disparity of Naval force between Ame- 
rica and Britain at the commencement of the war, has 
been alluded to in general terms. It may gratify the 
reader to learn more particularly the force of the ene- 
my, when the undaunted and fearless Decatur, com- 
menced his third cruise. The statement is derived 
from a source which will not be disputed, as it comes 
from the very loyal Mr. Steele, whose annual " Navy 
List, of the Royal Navy of Great Britain" and their 
several " Stations" is made under the inspection of the 
"Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty," and more 
particularly under that of ' John Wilson Crocker, Esq.' 
This List for January 1st, 1813, assigns the following 
ships to the several stations undermentioned : — 

BERMUDA STATION. 



JVames. 


Guns. 


Commanders, 


Minerva 


32 


R. Hawkins, esq. 


Frolic, brig 


18 


Whinyates. 


Sylph 


18 


Wm. EvaiiS. 


Muros, brig 


14 


Lt. C. Hobart. 



London papers of the 10th of January, stated that a 
squadron of 19 sail of the line, several large frigates, 
(razees) and 5 bomb vessels, would instantly proceed 
to the coast of America, to bombard some of the prin- 
cipal ports. The following are named as part of that 
force. Some of them were then on cur co:ist. 



Royal Oak 


74 


Egmont 
La Hogue 


74 
74 



i R'rAd 
I Capt. 
Joiaeph 



R'rAd.L'dA.Beauclerc. 
F. G. Shnrtland. 
seph Bingham, esq. 
Hon. T. B.Capel. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



195 



Norge 

Faliant 

Tiger 

Abercrombie 

Queen 

*Thesens 

Bellona 

Revolntionaire 

Desiree 

Neimen 

Mutine, brig 

* Goin^Jlrst 



74 L. S. Re2nier,esq. 

74 R. D. Oliver. 

74 John Halliday. 

74 C. VV. Fahie, esq. 

80 Rt. Hon. Lord J. Colviile. 

74 Wm. Prouse, e?q. 

74 Geo. M Kinley, esq. 

44 P. L. Woolcombe, esq. 

36 Arthur Farquahar. 

38 Samuel Pyni. 

18 N. D. Courcy. 

off the Western Islands. 



CRUISING OFF THE WESTERN ISLANDS. 



Elephant 
Dublin 
Inconstant 
Hermes 
Rolla, brig 



San Domingo 

Cumberland 

Marlborough 

Poictiers 

Ramilies 

Grampus 

Acasta 

Junon 

Nyniphe 

Sea- Horse 

Shannon 

Spartan 

Statira 

Tenedos 

Belvidfra 

Maicirstone 

Orpheus 



74 

74 
36 
20 
10 



C. J. Austin, esq. 

R. Henderson, esq. 

E. W. C. R. Owen?, esq, 

Philip Browne, e^q. 

Wm. Hail, esq. 



HALIFAX STATION. 



74 

74 

74 

74 

74 

50 

40 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

36 

36 

36 



(Ad. Sir J. B.Warren, bt 
I Capt. Charles Gill. 
Thomas Baker, esq. 
i Rear Ad. Cockburn, knt 
I Capt. B. H. Ross. 
Sir J. P. Beresford, knt. 
Sir Thomas Hardy, bart. 
Robert Barrie, esq. 
A. R. Kerr, esq. 
James Saunders, esq. 
E. P. Epworth, esq. 
J. A. Gordon, esq. 
P. B. V. Broke, esq. 
E. P, Brenion, esq. 
Hassard Stackpole, esq. 
Hyde Parker, esq. 
Riohrrd Byron, esq. 
Geo. Bnrdett, esq. 
Hugh Pigolt, esq. 



196 



LIFE OF 



do. 

do. 



.(Eolus 

Laurestinus 

Fa-.vn 

Tartarus 

Wanderer 

Arachne, brig 

Arab do. 

Atalante do. 

Colibri 

Curlew 

Goree 

Heron, brig 

Mtirtin 

Morgiana* 

?vIoseIl'^, brig 

Recruit 

Sophia, brig 

M:i^net, do. 

Ratler 

'^Plumper, gun 

Variable 

Holly, schr. 

Bream, 

Cuttle, 

Fierce, 



brig, 



do. 
do. 
do. 



Herring, do. 
i\Iackarel, do. 



32 

24 

20 

20 

20 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

18 

16 

16 

12 

12 

8 

4 

4 

4 

4 

4 



Lord J. Townsend. 
Thomas Graham, esq. 
Thomas Fellows, esq. 
John Pasco, esq. 
F. Newcomb, esq. 

C. H. Watson, esq. 
John Wilson, esq. 
Frederick Hickey, esq. 
J. Thompson, esq. 
Michael Head, esq. 
Hon. H. D. Byng. 
Wm. M'Culloch, esq. 
John Evans, Esq. 
David Scott, esq. 

Mowbray, esq. 

H. F. B^mhouse, esq. 
N. Luckyer, esq. 

D. M. Maurice, esq. 
A. Gordon, esq. 

Lt. J. Bray. 
R. R. B. Yates. 
Lt. S. S. Treacher. 
Lt.C. D.Browne. 
Lt. W. L. Patterson. 



Lt. John Murray. 
Lt. T. H. Hutchinson. 



Lost near Eastport, Maine. 



The following vessels were on the Jamaica and 
Leeward Island Stations, and on passage to the West In- 
dies, the 1st of January : 

i R'r ad. Sir F. Laforey, bt. 

I Capt. F. A. Collier. 

C. Upton, esq. convoij. 
Sir James Yeo. 
Hon. Wm. King. 
J. R. Lumley. 
C. Mil ward. 



Dragon 


74 


Arethusa 


38 


Sybelle 


38 


'^•Southampton 


32 


Jason 


32 


Narcissus 


32 


Mercury {enflute) 


28 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



197 



Garland 


22 


Davies. 


Coquette 


20 


John Simpson. 


*Cyane 


20 


Thomas Forrest. 


Lightning 


20 


B. C. Doyle. 


Brazen 


18 


, 


Bold, brig 


18 


John Skekel. 


Crane 


18 


James Stuart. 


Dauntless 


18 


D. Barber. } convoy zviih 


Demerara, g. b. 


18 


W.H.Smith, ^i/ie Sybelle, 


Peruvian, brig, 


10 


A. F. Westropp. 


Indian 


18 


Henry Jane. 


Sappho, brig, 


18 


H. O'Gready. 


Sapphire 


18 


Henry Haynes. 


Maria, brig, 


16 


Lieut. Biigh. 


Swaggerer, 


16 


G. J. Evelyn. 


Protection, g. b. 


14 


i Lieut. G. Mitchener, 
I convoy with Sybelle. 


Liberty, cutter b. 


14 


Lieut. G. M. Guise. 


Morne Fortunee, b. 


14 


J. Steele. 


Netlpy, sch. 


14 


G. Green. 


Spider, b. 


14 


F. G. Willoch. 


Elizabeth, sch. 


12 


Lieut. Edward F. Droyer. 


Rapide, do. 


12 


N. W. Pere. 


Algerine, cutter, 


10 


D. Carpenter. 


'^Dominico, g. b. 


10 


Robert Hockings. 


Opossum, do. 


10 


Thomas woolridge. 


Ballahon, sch. 


8 


Norfolk King. 


Green Linnet 


6 




tSubtle 


8 


Lieut. Charles Browne. 



'^Lost on the Bahama Keys. 

\Upsetand sunk while in chase of the American privateer 

Jack^s Favorite. 



NEWFOUNDLAND STATION, 



Antelope 

Hyperion 
Electra 



50 

32 
18 



i Adm. Sir E. Nagle, bart 
^ Capt. Edward HaA'kes. 
W. P. Cumby, esq. 
Wm. Gregory, esq. 



17 



198 



LIFE OP 



Hazard 18 John Cooksley, esq. 

* Alert 16 Lieut. Win. Smith. 

Juniper 8 N. Vassal. 

* Captured by the Essex. 

The Gwrri'ere, the Macedonian, the Java, and the 

Peacock, once belonged to this List. The names of the 
first, and three last, although not the same timbers, were 

after-Ji'ards added to the Anterican Navy List. 
• Agai- , — '■'■ Look upon that Picture, and then upon 

tJiis.'' — It would make the reader think of " little lulus" 

following after •' Anchises." 



NAVY OF 


THE UNITED STATES, IN 1813. 


President 


44 


Comm. Rodgers. 


United States 


44 


Decatur. 


Constitution 


44 


Capt. Lawrence. 


Macedonian 


38 


Jones. 


Con2;ress 


36 


Smith. 


Chesapeake 


36 


Evans. 


ConstelhUion 


36 


Stewart. 


New-York 


36 


Repairing at Washington, 


Boston 


32 


do. do. 


E??ex 


32 


Capt. Porter. 


Ad^ims 


32 


Morris. 


John Adams 


26 


Ludlow. 


Alert 


18 






Hornet 


18 






Argus 


16 


Lieut. Allen. 


Syren 


16 


Myst. Com. J. Bainbridge 


Enterpize 


14 


Lieut. BJakely. 


Troop 


14 


Grandison. 


Nonsuch 


12 





The fastidious disciples of the " Doctrine of Chan- 
ces," Would feel that wonder, which is the eifect of ti- 
midity upon weakness, that the government of the A- 
merican Republic, or its Naval officers, should pre 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 199 

sume to expose a ship or a seaman to the destruction of 
such an overwhelming superiority of force. The go- 
vernment and its officers knew what had been, accom* 
plished, and were not to be deterred by /ear from fur- 
ther attempts. Tbey took no counsel from that para- 
lyzing passion in the breast of dotards. 

Comm. Decatur received his sailing orders with ex- 
ultation , and Capts. Jones and Biddle panted for an op- 
portunity to gather further laurels. 

Upon the 24th o^May, the Commodore's broad pen- 
dant waved from the head of his favourite frigate Uni- 
ted State?. The " Star spangled Banner" held the 
place once occupied by "St. George's Cross" on the 
Macedonian ; and the little Hornet still retained her 
stings. They passed into the sound ; and when off 
Hunt's Point, the main-mast of the Commodore's ship 
' was struck with lightning, and his broad pendant came 
down ; being conipell* d, surely, in this instance, to 
pield to a " superior force." It entered a port-hole 
— went down the ai'tav hatchway, through the ward- 
room, into the Surgeon's room — tore up his bed, and 
put out his candle — then passed between t['e skin and 
cieling of the ship, and tore up about twenty nails of 
her copper at the water's edge. Tlie Macedonian, 
but 100 yards astern, hove her top-sails aback, fearing 
the lire might find its way to the magnzine. The Squad- 
ron, however, was soon again under full sail. 

Upon June 1st, a British 74 was discovered off the 
harbour of New-London. Immediate sail was made 
for her, and a prize was already taken in anticipation. 
At this moment the remainder of the British squadron 
—a 74, a Razee, and a frigate, showed themselves, 



200 LIFE OP 

coming from their covert behind Montauk Point. This 
force was almost as irresistible as the lightning from 
which the American squadron had recently escaped ; 
and it made good its retreat into the harbour of New- 
London ; not, however, until the "Commodore's ship 
gave the razee a few shots from her stern-chasers. 

Such are the sudden changes in the fortune of na- 
val warfare. The Commodore found himself blocka- 
ded in the same port into which he lately conducted the 
first British frigate as a prize, that ever entered an A- 
merican harbour. 

Expecting from the great force of the enemy an im- 
mediate attack, the squadron was prepared, aided by 
the military force at forts Trumbull and Griswold, to 
give Sir Thos. M. Hardy a reception as warm and more 
effectual than his adored Nelson found at Copenhagen. 

As this is the first time Razees have been mentioned, 
some readers may wish for a description^ of what, how- 
ever, may properly be called a non descript in naval 
armaments. They are actually 74 gun ships, with a 
little portion of their decks cut down, and the exclusion 
of their smaller guns which are of but little use in close 
engagements. They are deemed by the first naval 
characters, a full match for two first rate frigates. The 
wary admiralty of Old England, after seeing their 
finest frigates for the first time bowing to an equal force, 
designed these mongrel bulwarks of her prowess, for 
contests with American frigates, and denominated them 
razees ! If a doublf' entendre were allowable upon a 
subject that ough( to excite contempt, we might safely 
venture to say that in single combat with a plain Ameri- 
can 44, thev would be razeed of more deck and more 



STEPHEN DECATUR* 201 

guns than what the British naval architects woM approve 
of. The admiralty of Britain, hy this measure, bestow- 
ed the highest compliment upon American officers and 
seamen, and virtually acknovvledged their own inferior- 
ity in conflicts between equal forces — and the crown 
would probably have knighted the commander of a 
British razee for capturing an American frigate, 

Com'.\. Decatur moored his squadron five miles above 
the town, and took every precautionary measure, in 
conjunction with the United States' forces in the forts 
and the Connecticut militia, which immediately apjtear- 
ed, to prepare for a vigorous defence. His presence 
and example inspired confidence in every bosom, and 
imparted the ardent glow of patriotism to every heart. 
Although Comm. Decatur, Capts. Jones and Biddle, their 
officers and seamen were driven, by a force wholly ir- 
resistible by them, from their chosen element, — and 
that formidable force still menacing them and the coun- 
try, yet, spirits like theirs were never created to 
" despair of the Republic." The first had long been 
familiar with scenes of carnage and death in their most 
horrid forms, and the second and the third had endured 
the horrors of a lengthened bondage amongst the most 
ferocious and merciless of barbarians — and all had been 
in victorious conflicts with the mistress of the ocean. 

It would not comport with the intended limits of this 
volume, to detail all the minor events that took place 
in the naval and military forces at, and near New-Lon- 
don, duringthe long period the American Squadron was 
there blockaded. The British Squadron under Sir 
Thomas M. Hardy, was at all times too formidable to 
attack and too vigilant to escape. It originally consist- 



202 • LIFE OF 

ed of the Ramilies, 74, Sir T. M. Hardy — Valiant, 74, 
R. D. Oli^ver — Acasta, 40, A. R. Kerr — Orpheus, 36, 
H. PiGjott. The Statira, 2S,H. Stackpole; ('' sister- 
ship" of the Macedonian,) and La Hague, 14, and En- 
dymion,A4, afierwards joined ; beside* Tenders, Barg- 
es, Boats, &c. &c. Sir Thomas could diminish or aug- 
ment his sqiadron at pleasure, as there were always 
British ships enough within a few days call. 
»> It might be considered as a fortunate circumstance 
for the citizens of Connecticut and New-York, resi- 
dent on the borders of Lons;-Island sound, t!;at such a 
noble and magnanimous ememy as Sir T. M. Hardy, 
ctyuiraanded in those v/aters. The inbahitants upon 
the waters and the borders of the Chesapeake fJufiTered 
a f'AT different destiny where the sanguinary and detest- 
ed Cochhurn, held dominion. Hirdy, one of f he heroes 
of Traf:de:ar, and who received the dying Nelson in his 
•arms on board the Victory, ?corned to make war upon un- 
resiptina; ueakness. But let thefite cS Hampton, Havre 
ie Grace, Frenchtorcm and Fred erickf own be remember- 
ed ; and to place Cockburn upon the very pinnacle of 
infamy for " scorn to point its slow immovingjinger at,'*'' 
let the wanton destrtiction of the Capitol, the Presi- 
"dent's ho'ise,the National Library, and the dilapidations 
upon the Naval Monument at Washington be brought to 
light. It is almost with a blush I mention the name of 
this parascon of infamy upon the sam'e page with the 
valiant Hardy, who never violated the established prin- 
ciples of civilized warfare. Scarcely a living animal 
was taken from the island? or the main without they 
were paid for, or offered pay refused.* No defence- 
* Gardner, Esq. proprietor of Gardner^s island, refu- 
sed pay for twenty head of fine cattle. 



STEPHEN DECATUR.' 203 

less villager was driven in despair from his burning 
man^sion ; no unprotected female suffered viol€nce from 
brutal passion. This truly noble Hero knew his duty 
to' his king and country, and he performed it. His 
squadron captured every merchantman within its reach. 
One detachment of it destroyed a large amount of ship- 
ping at Pettipaug — another made a " demonstration''' 
upon the borough oi' Ston{?igton, and were rep'ilsed by 
the unparalleled heroism of the citizens. He would 
most gladly have recaptured the Macedonian, and have 
been delighted to have added the frigate United States 
and the sloop of War Hornet to the " Royal Navy ;" 
but he knew that a Decatur, as valiant and magnanimous 
as himself, was placed as a watchman upon these wood- 
en walls of the Republic. Sir Thomas could do noth- 
ing but smile at the gasconading threat of one of his 
officers, " That they meant to have the Macedonian if 
they followed her into a cornfield^ Undoubtedly they 
would have rejoiced to reap such a prize in any field. 
But Comm. Hardy's " system of navigation" would 
hardly admit of ga^/jeriwo- a crop on such an element. 

Although Comm. Decatur, and Comm. Hardy would 
prefer an ocean-batlle, to obtain a conquej^t, yet strata- 
gem has always been practised to obtain the same object. 
Such was resorted to by the commanders »f the Fal- 
iant and Acasta, to decoy Comm. Decatur into the 
hands of the enemy. About the middle of June, these 
ships left their stations — captured a coasting vessel, 
and assured th.e master of her, that the Valiant had 
struck upon a rock, and that the Acasta was going with 
her to Halifax for repairs, and to take out the crew if 



204 LIFE OF 

she should sink. In a week they returned with an ad- 
ditional Frigate and a Brig of War ! 

Upon the 19th June, the day upon which war was 
declared the year preceding, the American flag was 
hoisted under that of the British on board their squad- 
ron. Had that flag been taken in action with an equal 
force, there would have been more meaning in it. 
They could distinctly see the American flag upoj the 
mast of the Macedonian. 

Upon the 25th a schooner fitted out as a sort of fire- 
ship at New-York, by a Mr. Scudder, who acknowl- 
edged the fact, exploded near the British squadron, 
destroyed some boats and about 100 men. Comm. 
Hardy, probably supposing it to have originated in 
Comm. Decatur's squadron, sent the following note on 
shore by a flag of truce. 

** The inhabitants of Stonington, New-London and 
the vicinity, are hereby informed, that after tiiis date. 
no boat of any description shall be suff"ered to approach 
or pass his Britannic majesty's squadron, lying off New- 
London, flags of truce excepted. 

Given on board his majesty's ship Ramilies, the 26th 
June, 1813. 

T. M. HARDY, Capt." 

Although the gallant and lamented Gen. Pike, died 
by a British stratagem still more unusual than this, yet 
Comm. Decatur, as the reader will presently learn, 
proposed adifl'erent mode to take or destroy the British 
squadron than by that of blowing it up with fire ships, 
or torpedoes. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 205 

Comm. Decatur, about the first of September, re- 
ceived from Comm. Bainbridge the original British 
passport for the Brig Henry, fitted out by the patriotic 
George Crowninshield and manned by twelve sea-cap- 
tains, to proceed from Salem, (Ivlass.) to Halifax,- and to 
bring to their native land the bodies of the gallant and 
lamented Capt. Lawrence and Lieut. Ludlow who fell 
in the Chesapeake frigate. The object was, to enable 
Comm. Decatur to obtain an extension of the same 
passport, from the commanding officer of this station, 
for the Henry to proceed to New York with the bodies. 
The Commodore immediately dispatched Lieut. Nich- 
olson with a flag of truce, and a letter addressed to Sir 
T. M. Hardy, " or the officer commanding H. B. M,, 
Squadron off New London,'''' Capt. Oliver of the Valiant 
was the '• officer commanding." Lieut, Nicholson was 
ordered to lie by with his boat, in weather extremely 
boisterous, and was refused the privilege of coming 
to the leeward of the Valiant, for protection. An offi- 
cer was sent on board the flag-boat — the dispatches 
were sent to Capt. Oliver, with the original passport. 
After an hour's detention, a letter was sent on board to 
Comm. Decatur, informing him that his letter and the 
passport would be sent to Comm. Hardy, then at Hali- 
fax ! 

The feelings of Comm. Decatur on receipt of the 
letter, can neither be described nor conceived. In con- 
sequence of this refusal, the bodies of these sleeping 
heroes were transported by land, froni Salem through 
Massachusetts and Connecticut to New-York. That 
this refusal should not appear too glaring an outrage 
upon humanity, it ought to be mentioned that Capt. 



206 LIFE OF 

Oliver, suhsequenily^ when it was too late to have effect, 
granted the request ! 

While Comm. Decatur's squadron was rendered thus 
inactive, and driven from the ocean, a " fresh water'^ 
squiuiron, surrounded by a wilderness, achieved a deed 
which produced inexpressible astonishment in the ene- 
my, and joy as inexpressible with Americans. As 
Comm. Perry's victory upon Lake Erie was the Jirst 
gained over the enemy in squadron, as Capt. Hull's was 
ihe Jirst over a single ship, they have been echoed and 
re-echoed, until it might be supposed that the thirst for 
praise itself, would have been saturated. This capture 
of the British squadron upon Lake Erie is an anomaly 
in the history of naval warfare. Although Nelson had 
tauglit the manner of breaking through an enemy's line, 
yet it was for Comm. Perry to leave his own disabled 
ship in the hands of his Lieutenant, who reluctantly 
struck her flag — take the ship of the next officer in com- 
mand, almost uninjured, and dispatch him on another 
service — then, with his fresh ship, aided by the gallan- 
try aud ekill of her former comm,ander, in hnngingfresh 
ships into close action, to gain a decided victory, is 
surely without a parallel. Comm. Perry, and Capt. 
Xlliot set a new example ; whether it ever will be fol- 
lowed, must be left for future naval conflicts to deter- 
mine. Particulars must here be omitted ; but they 
may be learned from Coram. Perry's three official letters 
to the Secretary of the Navy ; and his three civil letters 
to M(ij. Gen. Harrison. 1'he General aided the Com- 
modore in obtaining the victory upon water — the Com- 
modore, in return aided the Geneial in conquering up- 
on land. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 207 

But such are the sudden reverses of those who travel 
the road to fame, that they are often compelled to min- 
gle the tears of grief, with the smiles of triumph. 
Scarce had the exhilaration of joy excited in the bosom 
of Comm. Decatur by the victory upon Lake Erie sub- 
sided, before the death of one of his former favourite 
lieutenants was announced. After the capture of the 
Macedonian, Lieut. W. H. Allen, was promoted, and 
ordered to take command of the ArguSy the Jirst armed 
vessel that Decatur comQianded. He carried the Ame- 
rican minister to France, and repaired to the Irish chan- 
nel, where, in a short time, he captured British proper- 
ty to the amount of g2,000,0G0, as they confess ; yet 
they admired the hand that struck them, it was raised 
with so much dignity and fell with so much humanity. 
When Capt. Allen fell himself, nobly fighting the Pelican 
upon the 14th August, and was buried in the midst of 
the enemies he had so nobly fought, their demonstra- 
tions of respect for his character, speak his highest eu- 
logy. He was interred with the honours of war ; and 
the American flag under which he had gallantly fought, 
enclosed his reliques as they were borne to the vault, 
where his slain midshipman, Mr. Delphy had previously 
been deposited. Like the gallant Lawrence, he fear 
iessly fought — he nobly fell—and was — 

" By strangers honour'd*, and by strangers mourned." 

Upon the 4th October, Comm. Decatur abandoned 
the fort he had erected on Dragon Hill — descended the 
river about three miles, determining to watch every 
possible opportunity to escape from his irksome and 
disheartening situation. It was doubtless as irksome 



208 tIFE OF 

for Comm. Hardy to blockade, as it was for Comm. De- 
catur to be blockaded — they both preferred a more ac- 
tive and glorious service. But the fortune of war had 
placed them in this situation ; and if it had been the 
pleasure of their several governments, that they should 
nave remained in it during life, they must either have 
fought their way out of it, — submitted to it, or left a 
service from which they derived their highest enjoy- 
ment. 

The vigilance of the blockading squadron was such, 
that no opportunity, for a long time occurred to at- 
tempt an escape with any hopes of success. Indeed, 
it was the bounden duty of the British squadron, to pre- 
vent Comm. Decatur's escape, or to capture or destroy 
his ship ; and if they had failed to do one of them, ev- 
ery officer^ n the enemy's squadron would have met 
with the severe punishment which a British naval 
court-martial invariably inflict for the most trifling 
omission of duty or commission of error. 

It is always the policy of war to obtain the most cor- 
rect intelligence of an enemy's situation — the amoimt 
of his force — his movements, and, if possible, his inten- 
tions. The British almost invariably have their emis- 
saries in the midst of their enemies. It is easy, from 
the similarity of language, and appearance, to intro- 
duce their oTion subjects into <*n American Squadron, or 
Encampment ; and such is the weakness or corruption 
of man, it is not hard, even to bribe their enemies with 
gold. That the British had emissaries of one or the 
other character at New-London, is placed beyond the 
doubts even of stubborn incredulity, unless of that 
stubbornness which is often the last subterfuge of guilt. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 209 

The citizens of Ne-dD- London and Groton had passed 
through the very extremity of sufferings, inflicted up 
on them by the most execrable of traitors — Benedict 
Arnold ; an.l the most re;note suspicion of treason, ^ould 
not for a moment attach itself to them. Their patriot- 
ism in thejirst war between the Republic and Britain 
— and the avidity with which they flew to arms in the 
second, to defend Comm. Decatur's squadron, most 
forcibly repels the least imputation of disaffection. 
But they had in the midst of them, either foreign emis- 
saries, or domestic traitors, from some where ; and they 
could not detect them. Even the chosen followers of 
the Redeemer innocently harboured and caressed an 
unknown traitor ; and if an American accepted of 
" thirty pieces of silver," or thirty thousand of gold, 
to betray his country, it is not to be regretted if he has 
met with the fate oflscariot. 

But let the language of the noble, the patriotic, and, 
in this instance, the indignant Decatur, sjteak for it- 
self. 

" jYena-London, Dec, 20th, 1813. 
" Some few nights since, the weather promised an 
opportunity for this squadron to get to sea, and it was 
said on shore that we intended to make the attempt. 
In the course of the e/ening two blue lights were 
burnt on both the points at the harbour's mouth as sig- 
nals to the enemy, and there is not a doubt, but that, 
they have by signals and otherwise, instantaneous infor- 
mation of our movement-*. Great but unsuccessful ex- 
ertions have been made to detect those who communi- 
nate with the enemy by signal. The editor of the New- 
18 * 



210 LIFE OF 

London Gazette, to alarm them, and in hope to prevent 
the repetition of these signals, stated in that newspaper, 
that they had been observed, and ventured to denounce 
those who had mad-3 them in animated and indignant 
terms. The consiequence is, that he has incurred the 
express censure of some of his neighbours. Notwith- 
standing these signals have been repeated, and have 
been seen bv 20 por-ons at least in this squadron, there 
are men in N. London who have the hardihood to affect 
to disbelieve it, and the effrontery to avow their disbe- 
lief. I am, sir, with the highest consideration and res- 
pect, yo'ir very obedient and humble servant. 

(Signed) STEPHEN DECATUR. 

Hon. Win. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 

Here let the gloomy subject rest. The bosom of 
the patriot cannot be di^^turbed by it ; and a« to the 
traitors who " burnt the two blue lights,^' if still in exis- 
tence, rrsay their piliows be pillows of thorns— may 
their sleep be asfony ; and may they even be deprived 
of tears to appease the gnuv\ings of guilt, until they 
confess it, and become the subjects of human justice, 
and, if so decreed, of divine mercy. 

Comm. Decatur, Capts Jones and Biddle, as they 
could not escape, and us the enemy would not attack 
them at anchor, turned tneir attention to a new species 
of naVal armament, invented by that unequalled me- 
chanist, Robert Fulton. As it is embraced in the ob- 
ject of this work to blend with the biography of Comm. 
Decatur " brief notices of the origin, progress and a- 
chievements of the Jlmerican Navy.'^' it is deemed useful 
to furnish the reader with his opinion and that of other 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 211 

distinguished naval characters, of Fulton's Steam 
Frigate, 

" New- London^ January 3, 1814. 
We, the undersigned, have this day examined the 
model and plans of a vessel of war, submitted to us by 
Robert Fulton, to carry !^4 guns, 24 or 32 pounders, 
and use red hot shot to be propelled by steam at the 
speed of from 4 to 5 miles an hour, without the aid of 
wind or tide. The properties of which vessel are : 
That without masts or sails, she can move with sufficient 
speed ; that her machinery being guarded, she cannot 
be crippled ; that her sides are so thick as to be im- 
penetrable to every kind of shot — and in a calm or light 
breeze, she can take choice of position or distance from 
an enemy. Considering the speed which the applica- 
cion of steam has already given to heavy floating bodies, 
we have full confidence, that should such a vessel move 
only four miles an hour, she could, uader favourable 
circumstances which may always be gained over ene- 
mies' vessels in our ports, harbours, bays, and sounds, 
be rendered more formidable to an enemy than any kind 
of engine hitherto invented. And in such case she 
would be equal to the destruction of one or more 74's, 
or of compelling her or them to depart from our waters. 
We, ther<^.fore, give it as our decided opinion, that it is 
among the best interests of the United States, to carry 
this plan into immediate execution. 

(Signed) STEPHEN DECATUR.^ 

J. JONES. 

J. BIDDLE. 



212 LIFE OF 

~New York, Jan. 10, 1814. 
We, the subscribers, having examined the model of 
he above described vessel of war, to be propelled by 
steam, do fully concur in the above opinion of the prac- 
ticability and utility of the same. 

(Signed) SAMUEL EVANS, 

O. H. PERRY. 
L. WARRINGTON. 
J. LEWIS." 

It is to be regretted, that this novel, floating engine 
of destruction had not been in readiness to test its pow- 
er upon the Royal Navy of Britain in the second war ; 
and although a third one is to be deprecated, it is ardent- 
ly hoped by every lover of the Republic that in a future 
war with that or any other power, such engines or 
some others, may protect our '^ ports, harbours, bays 
and sounds" from the depredation of every hostile in- 
truder. 

To return to Comm. Decatur, and his blockaded 
squadron, and to Comm. Hardy who was still blocka- 
ding him. Capt. Moran, had been captured and was 
on board the Ramilies. Sir Thomas remarked to him 
— " Now that two frigates were off, of equal force to 
the United States and Macedonian, he should have no 
objections to a meeting taking place, but that he could 
not allow the challenge to come from the English com- 
manders.'^ Capt. Moran was paroled — came on shore, 
anO. without knowing Comm. Uecatur, mentioned the 
circumstance in his hearing. He immediately dispatch- 
ed Capt. Biddle in a flag of truce, with a challenge from 
the American commanders. The crews of the United 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 213 

States and Macedonian were called, and laconically ad- 
dressed. Coram. Decatur said — " Officers and seamen 
— You will shortly be called upon again to try your 
skill and valour. This ship and his Britannic Majesty's 
ship Endymion of equal force will speedily try their 
strength. You are accustomed to victory, and you will 
not tarnish the glory you have already won. I have 
no fears for the result." 

The ardent, yet modest Capt. Jones, addressed his 
officers and seamen nearly as follows. — " My lads — the 
Macedonian was once conquered by American tars, and 
she will soon have an opportunity to gain a victory her- 
self. You have not forgotten the Sloop of war Frolic, 
and you will shortly be introduced to the Frigate Stati- 
ra. My lads — our cruise will be short, and I trust a 
very profitable one." — Three hearty cheers were giv- 
en in answer to these addresses. 

Comm. Hardy, by signals, called the commanders of 
the Endymion and Statira on board the Ramilies, and 
modestly said to them — " Gentlemen, here are two 
letters for you — it rests altogether with you to decide 
the matter," — Cnpt. Stackpole answered — " 'Ponhon- 
nour, sir, it is the most acceptable letter I ever receiv- 
ed." Capt. i/opeof the Endymion was less boisterous 
and probably more courageous. 

All was animation in the frigates United States and 
Macedonian. The officers and seamen were anxious 
to be led immediately into the contPtH — when lo ! the 
Borer sloop of war came in and inlormed that the invi- 
tation had heen finally declined I 

A correspondence followed upon this subject be- 
tween Commodores Decatur and Hardy, and Capt. 



214 LIFE OF 

Stackpole, quite too prolix for insertion at length. A 
paragraph from Stackpole's letter will be introduced to 
show the difference between him, and those who know 
what belongs to an accomplished officer — In his letter 
of January 17th 1814, he says : — 

" The honor of my king, the defence of my country, 
engaged in a just and unprovoked war, added to the 
glory of the British flag, is all I have in view.'' 

The *' honour of his king and country" would not be 
much advanced by having those affairs of state settled 
in the cabin of the Statira, by Capt. Hassard Stackpole, 
which belong to the ministers of his Majesty at St. 
James, 

The commander of the frigate Staiira, (if men and 
things have any analogy) would have been more ap- 
propriately located in the British brig Swaggerer, 16 
guns, (see preceding Navy Li^it.) — To be excused for 
a little pedantry, " *Sia/?'m" sigiiiOes n suspension of 
wrath, and the meaning of 'SS'w?acf^erer" is, like the old 
Almanacs — '' fan>iliar to the meanest capacity." 

Comm. Decatur *thus rl gantly and pointedly con- 
cludes his U'tto.v of January 19th : — 

«' Whether the war we :\re engaged in be just or un- 
provoked on th*' part of Great Britain, as Capt. Stack- 
pole has be:ui pleased to suggest, is considered by us 
as a quej'tion exclusively with the civilians, and I am 
perfectly ready to admit both my incompetence and 
iiftwiliingness to confront Capt. Stackpole in its discus- 
sion. I am Sir, with the highest consideration and 
respect, (Signed) STEPHEN DECATUR. 

To Comm. Sir Thomas Mastermon Hardy, Bart. <^'r,*' 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 215 

• Comm. U^Tdy Jinishes the correspondence upon this 
subject in these terms : — 

" I beg to assure you, Sir, I shall hail >yith pleasure 
the riturn of an amicable adjustment of the differences 
between the two nations, and have the honor to be, &;c. 

(Signed) THOS. MASTERMAN HARDY. 

To Comm. Stephen Decatur, 4rc. ^c <^c. JV. London.'''' 

It really excites astonishment that two officers like 
Sir T. M. Hardy and Capt. H. Stackpole engaged for 
the same " king and country" should hold language so 
diametrically opposi-te — but — " who shall decide when 
doctors disagree." 

It will be recollected that the sentiment given by 
Comm. Decatur at the dinner furnished his crew at 
New York was — ' Free Trade, and no Impressment.' 
To ensure the one, and prevent the other, were the 
great causes for which he was then, and always had 
been contending, both with Christians and Mahometans, 
for Mahometan slavery is not much to be preferred to 
Christian impressment. He was emphatically " The 
Sailor's Friend," and would exert every nerve to re- 
lieve them from distress, or restore them from bon- 
dage. 

In April 1813, a father came to New London to res- 
cue a son from bondage. It was an aged man by the 
name of Alfred Carpenter, of Norwich, (Conn.) If 
there can be any thing like good fortune in bondage, it 
was so for John Carpenter that he had been in a British 
ship five years with Sir T. M. Hardy, or others like 
him A flag of truce was immediately dispatched to 

He was courteously re- 



216 LIFE OP 

ceived on board. Sir Thoraas witnessed the embrace 
of the father and son, with the rapture of a benignant 
heart — immediately discharged the worthy and grateful 
seaman who had become a favourite, and gave him the 
necessary documents to obtam g23C0 as wages and 
prize-money. Let the language of this magnanimous 
enemy speak his eulogy. 

'' H. M. SHIP RAMILIES. 

Off Block Island, April 29, 1813. 

*' Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of yesterday's date, and in reply I beg 
leave to say, that it is far from the wish of the comman- 
der in chief on this station, to keep any subject belong- 
ing to the United States, on board any of our ships of 
war. I have therefore sent by the bearer of this, John 
Carpenter ; and if I thought there was another citizen 
of the United States on board the ship I have the honor 
to command, he should be sent by the same conveyance. 
I have directed the Orpheus to land all the prisoners 
she has on board, by getting proper receipts for them, 
and if the government of America do not think proper 
to send back the few men who have unfortunately fallen 
into their hands, I shall acquit myself of having done 
every thing in my power to lessen the hardships at- 
tached to the fortune of war ; and shall, (though with 
much reluctance) in future be under the necessity of 
sending all the prisoners to Halifax or Bermuda. I have 
sent by the flag of truce Capt. Hudson, who was captu- 
red by the Ramilies a few days ago ; may I beg of you 
to send a receipt for him, with the other prisoners ? 

I have the honour to be, yours most faithfully, 

T. M. HARDY. 
To Jame& Stewart, esq. agent for British prisoners, <S"c." 



STEPHEN DECATUK.. 217 

In March, 1814, Capt Thomas B. Capel became 
commander of the British Squadron off New-London, 
in the La Hague, 74. Comm. Decatur discovered that 
Capt. Stackpolehad an American seaman, impressed in 
August 1803, and that he had been in the Statira six 
years. His name was Hiram Thayer, of Greenwich, 
(Mass.) Comm. Decatur dispatched Lieut. Hamilton 
with a flag to demand his discharge. Stackpole refused 
to discharge him, although the evidence of his nativity 
was as clear as that of the Prince Regent, under whom 
he served. The father of Thayer arrived at New- 
London in search for his lost son. 

I cannot deny myself nor the reader the pleasure 
and the indignation of inserting an extract of Comm. 
Decatur's letter to the Secretary of the Navy, and 
Capt. Capel's to him upon this subject. Pleasure, to 
discover the goodness of the Commodore's heart, and 
Capt. Capel's urbanity — indignation at the diabolical 
wickedness of the gasconading Stackpole towards un- 
resisting wretchedness. Let official documents tell 
the rest. 

Extract. 
U. S. S. United States, ^^ London, March 8th, 1814. 
Sir — John Thayer, the father of Hiram, assures mo 
that the certificate of the selectmen, the town clerk, 
and the minister of Greenwich, were forwarded some 
time ago to Mr. Mitchelf, the resident agent for Ameri- 
can prisoners of war at Halifax, but does ntit know the 
reason why he was not discharged then. 

The so?ihas written to the father, and informed him, 
that on his representing to Capt. Stackpole that he was 
19 



24 8 LI^E OF 

i\n 4^m6ric?fn citizen a.nd.vf6ul<1n of fio^ht accainst W^(^. cnim- 
4.ry, th;U Gnpt. St^cl^polo trtld Idm'^^ifgheyjW inw'Uh 
an ^flmericttn man rj''war^ and he did not do his diity. he 
shuv^d be tied to the uiasi and shotMt like a do^y ! .'" 
', On' Monday the I4ih lu^t. John Thayvr iigupsted 
me to allow him u liag to go off to iXw. enemy, /md ask 
the release of his son. This I granted at once, and 
addr<'>^Sf:'f] a note to Capt. Capel, stating that I felt per- 
suaded that the application of the fither, furnished as 
he was witli conchisive evidence of tiie nativity and the 
identity of the son, would induce An immediate order 
for his discharge. The reply is enclosed. The son 
descried his father at a distance in the boat, and told the 
\st lieutenant of the Statira that it was hisjuther ; and I 
understiond the feelings manifested by the old man, on re- 
ceiving the^hand of his son, proved beyond all other evi- 
dence the property he had in him. There was not a doubt 
left on the mind of a single British officer, of Hiram 
Thayer's being an American citizen — and yet he is 
detained, not as a prisoner of -war, but compelled, under 
the most cruel threats^ to serve the enemies of his country. 
Thayer has so recommended himself by his sobriety, 
industry, and seamanship, as to be appointed a boat- 
swain's mate,' and is now serving in that capacity in 
the Statira — and he says there is due to him from the 
British government about 250/. sterling. He has also 
assured his father, that he has always refused to re- 
ceive any bounty or advance, lest it might afford some 
pretext for denying him his discharge whenever a pro- 
per application should be made for it. 
I am, Sir, &c. 

STEPHEN DECATUR. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 219 

CAPTAIN CAPEL's.Lk:i;TER, ENCLOSED. 

H. B. M. Sh'ip 'La Hague, off. 

N. London, '1 4th' March, 1814*. .. 
Sir — I have the honor to acknowledge th^'receipt 
of your letter, together with the certiticates of ex- 
change and discharge from pinole, forwarded to you at 
the request of Col. Barclay the commissary-general of 
British prisoners of war ; and I beg to return you my 
thanks for your polite attention. 

I regret that it is not in my power to comply with 
your request, in ordering the son of Mr. John Thayer 
to be discharged from H. M. ship Statira, but I wiU 
forward your application to th«» commander in chief by 
the earliest opportunity, and I have no doubt he will 
order his immediate discharge.* 1 am sir, &c. 

THOMAS B. CAPEL, Capt. 
Commanding H. B. M. Squadron off N. London. 
To Comm. Decatur y Com. U. S, Squadron JV. London, 

It is with delight, wholly inexpressible that such in- 
stances of humanity and philanthrophy are recorded. 
They serve for a time to. make — " Grim visag'd war to 
smooth its wrinkled front," and to afford some refuta- 
tion of tlie melancholy and pathetic exclamation of an- 
other of the poets of nature — 

" Manh inhumanity to man, 
Makes countless thousands mourn." 

Should the examples of such officers as the noble 
Decatur, and the no less noble Hardy, find imitation 
with all the officers of the American Republic and the 

* Thayer was aftenvards discharged. 



220 LIFE OF 

British Empire, the time inight come, when the Eagle 
and the Lion as well as the Lion and the Lamb would 
lie down together — and the sound of the Lute would be 
heard where the Clarion of war resounds. — It is worse 
than futile to expatiate upon the hackneyed idea that 
Americans and Englishmen have one common origin 
and oitght. to be friends. Let the .British parliament 
learn from the " Lords Spiritual" who carry the " sanc- 
tity of their lawn" into its senate, and mingle it with 
'the pure ermine of justice" that adorns its " Lords 
Temporal" that harmony is not to be obtained by inso- 
lence and injustice*- — and that a race of men like A- 
mericans, when^ injured will always obtain redress — - 
and that Englishmen, when invading this sacred right, 
will always be compelled to submit. 

While Comm. Decatur, was thus cut off from display- 
ing his skill and valour upon a more extended theatre, 
the reader has been furnished with a few, out of the 
numerous instances of his active attention to every 
thing relating to the navy and to seamen, that came 
within, his immediate observation. This tended in a 
degree to dissipate the languor which inaction will pro- 
duce in the most active spirit. 

The summer and autumn of 1814, presented to the 
view of Aniericans, many objects calculated to excite 
their deepest solicitude, and to call forth their highest 
energies. The fleets and armies of the "Allied Sove- 
reigns" of Europe, in the van of which, our enemy 

■,)» ■ 
* The great Lord Erskine, in July, 1820, thus addressed the 
Peers of England : — " Remember to he just ; — we stood above 
all other countries in, our character for justice and equity, let us 
be careful not to forfeit that character." 



STEPHEN DECATUR. . 22 1 

Went on conquering and to conquer, had restored ew,e- 
ry "legitimate sovereign" that could be found, and a- 
sullen peace followed in Europe. The British Ininis- 
try had disgorged their mioccupieJ troops iipon our 
northern borders, with some of their best general? ; 
and Comm. Downie, one of their distinguish^Ml ndval 
commanders, had .a decided superiority of frrce to 
Comm. Macdonough. The command of Lake Cham- 
plain, at this momentous crisis, was of more importan'oe, 
perhaps, than that of any other of the interiour waters 
upon the continent of America. The hopes of the 
Nt>rthern and Middle states were fixed upon the gal- 
lant Macdonougb, and their fears were excited from his 
inferiority of force. No one couid participate more 
deeply in those feelings than Comm. Decatur, who 
was precluded from participating in the danger of his 
admired friend. Decatur and Jl^acdonough had gone 
hand in hand in the great Mediterranean school, and 
in the desperate conflicts with tiie Tripolitans. The 
latter, then in a minor station, had followed the forrher 
in defending against the attacks of'Syracusans with their 
daggers and i^tilettoes — the secon^hat gained the deck 
of the Philadelphia after him, and valiantly succoured 
him in conquering the host of Turks, and destroyirig 
the frigate — and, to complete the climax of unsurpass- 
ed deeds of "noble daring," he was his main support 
in that unequalled contest with the Tripolitan Gun- 
boats in avenging the death of Lieut. Decatur.- 

After thi^ rapid sketch, I leave it for the reader to 

judge what mus^t have been the rapture and exultation 

of Comm. Decatur, when the splendid and glorious 

victory of September lllh, 1814, was announced! . Had 

19* 



222 LIFE OF 

he gained the victory himself, his joy would not have 
been exceeded. It was not only that his admired 
friend and former associate had added to the laurels he 
had previously won, but that one of the most impor- 
tant sections of the Republic was saved from the dep- 
redations of such a Vandal foe as had devastated the 
western frontierr—the borders of the Chesapeake — 
and the Metropolis. 

This was one of the hardest fought battles and im- 
portemt victories during the war, as the enemy knew 
the immense consequences a victory would have been 
to themselves ; and the slaughter amongst them was 
dreadful. Coram. Macdonough's fleet was at anchor 
in Plattsburgh bay, and the immense British army as 
confidently expected to witness a sudden victory over 
him as commander in chief, as the hosts of Tripolitans 
did, when he was a Midshipman under Comm, Decatur. 
The disappointment of both was equal ; and they fled 
with almost equal precipitation when they heard the 
roar of American cannon, and witnessed the destructive 
effect of the unequalled gunnery of American seamen. 
The admirable order in which Comm. Macdonough had 
arranged his fleet, has ever been spoken of, as evinc- 
ing the utmost nautical skill, and naval science. His 
ship, the Saratoga, for a considerable time bore nearly 
the whole weight of the enemy's fire. Her starboard 
side had nearly every gun dismounted. Had he at this 
period, struck his flag, to a force so much superior, not 
even a whisper of censure would have been heard : 
but it was at this portentous moment, that the charac-* 
ter of Macdonough developed itself. With perfect 
self possession, he '-Jiinded his ship — brought a fresh 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 223 

broad-side on Coram. Downie's ship — compelled her to 
strike her flag — then sprang a broadside upon another , 
ship — compelled her to strike also, and the victory 
was obtained. This faint sketch is only given to carry 
along with the memoirs ofComm. Decatur the greater 
achievements of our Navy ; and more particularly, 
those of his associates in the Meditervanean. He had 
previously enjoyed the satisfaction of congratulating 
many of them for their skill, valour, and victories over 
a powerful Christian enemy, as he once saw them as- 
sist in compelling Mahometans to bow. His joy wes 
enhanced when he embraced his gallant friend Mac- 
DONOUGH as one of the "conquering heroes,'* 



224 LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XFV. 

Comm. Deeatur dismantles the frigates United StaUs and 
Macedonian — Achieveme nts. of the Essex, Capt. Porter — Ex- 
pedition to the East Indies resolved upon by the Navy Depart- 
ment — The Squadron for that service — Comm. Decatur de- 
signated as commander of it — Sails in the frigate Presidrnt, 
encounters and beats the frigate Endymion, and surrenders to 
the whole British Squadron — His official account of the action 
■—Additional particulars — Falsehoods of an English editor, 
and the consequences of them — The remainder of Comm. De- 
catur's Squadron, Hornet and Peacock. 

Coram. Decatur remained at New-London with his 
squadron through that part of the season of 1814, du- 
ring which there was any reasonable hope that he might 
escape the British blockading force, and put to «ea 
with his ships. When the season arrived which pre- 
cluded all hopes of escaping, he moved the frigates 
United States and Macedonian to the head of naviga- 
tion in the river Thames, for ships of heavy burthen, 
and dismantled them. The Sloop of War Hornet, he 
ordered to remain at her station as a guard-ship. 

At the commencement of the year 1815, the Navy 
Department determined to make an attempt to send a 
squadron to the East-Indies, to protect American com- 
merce in those seas, and to annoy the enemy in that re 
gion. It was well known what the gallant and deter- 
mined Capt. Porter had accomplished in a single frigate, 
the little Essex, in another quarter. The history of 
naval enterprise and per.<everance does not afiord a 
parallel to that which he accomplished. He literally 



STEPHEN DEGATUR. 225 

swept British commerce from an immense ocean. His 
little frigate, in her eccentric qourse, spread as much 
consternation amongst British merchants, as the comet 
once did amongst timid women, and men who think and 
act like timid women. No human calculation could de- 
termine where the Essex would strike, or what she 
would lurn. The Lords-Commissioners of the whole 
Admiralty of Britain dispatched ship after ship, and 
squadron after squadron — the " north gave up, and the 
south kept not back" — almost every thing of British 
that could float, was dispatched to catch the little Essex. 
She had taken from British purses ^tiyo million dollarSy 
a sum sufficient to build six 1^ gun ships, and to capture 
her cost the treasury of England^re million dollars — 
of course sufficient to build^ifee/i 74 gun ships. But 
while enjoying a short respite from her labours, under 
the supposed protection of a neutral por^, a British 
squadron under Comm. Hillyer, after being all but con- 
quered himself, took the httle Essex, in a state so ridd- 
led and battered by the gallant and desperate defence 
she made, that it is doubtful, whether the same Essex 
is now ranked in the List of the Royal Navy. "As shie 
was taken in open violation of the Law of Nations^ in 
a neutral port, sober gallant comis>ander, after his en- 
emies had violated the law of honour, returned to his 
country and his duty, without being e:J;changed for a 
Captain of the British Navy.* 

However unpropitious the prospect might be of an 
American ship or squadron escaping the enem)f's ships 
which lined our coast, and choked our sounds, bays, 

* Vide Comm. Porter's official report. 



226 LIFE OF 

and harbours, the Navy Department resolved to send 
every armed ship to sr-a, that could reach it by escaping 
the enemy, orliifhtinga passage through thera. Our 
Naval officers reversed the maxim of the Briti.--h knight 
who'declared that — "■ It was better to die with rust, than 
to be scoured to death with perpetual motion."* They 
felt as impatient out of water as the leviathan, nbich 
majestically maintains his dominion in the nii'.^hty deep. 

Th squadron designed for the impottuit cruise to 
the Ea-t- Indies and the commander, will be directly 
mentioned. The Hornet was still at New-London un- 
der the command of Capt. Biddle. He was ordered, if 
possible, to escape from the harbour of New London by 
the blockading squadron thf:re, and reach New- York 
through the ^qutdron oflf the Hook, consisting of a num- 
ber of frigates, sloops of war and a razee. Cipt. Bid- 
die had a duty of extreme difficulty to perform in reach- 
ing the harbour of New- York ; but vyith the most ad- 
mirable skill, upon the niglit of the 18th November, he 
eluded the vigiUmt watch of the British squadron at 
New-London, — passed through that off Ncv- York, and 
joined the other ships of the American ^qnadron. This 
achievement alone entitles Capt. Biddle to an high 
rank amongst accomplished navigators. 

The ships and officers of this squadron consisted of 
the h'\gi\te President, Comm. Decatur — Sloops of war, 
Honiet, Capt. Biddle — Pec cock, (new) Capt. Warring- 
ton, and TomBowline, (storeship,) Lieut. Hoffman, j A 

* Vide Shakespeare's Henry IV". 

t Aa this is the first time the name of Lieut. B V. Hoffman 
has occurred in these sketches, it may gratify the reader to learn 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 227 

little emb^^rrassment arose ht the Navy Department in 
consequence of designating Comm. Decatur as coai-, 
maniler of the President. Cpmm. Rodgers had recent- 
ly reluraed iVonn a cruise ih that ?hip, and, as site need- 
ed repairs, the conimnnd of the Gurriere, nearly ready 
for sea, was off'* red to him. He preferred retaining 
the command of tiie President, wjiich had been offered 
to Coir-m. Decatur. Thus circumstanced, Comm. 
Rodgers, with his characteristic magn'-tnimity, gave the 
choice of ships to Comm. Decatur, who took the Presi- 
dent. :^ 

The squadron was fitted forseaby the 14th January. 
Comm. Decatur, fully aware that if he got to sea, he 
mu«t go through a host of enemy's ships, cautiously 
determined to sail singly himself, and designated the 

(hat he was a Lieutenant on board the Constitution, Capt. Stew- 
art, in the distinguished action on the 20th February, 1815, be- 
tween that ship and the two ships of war Cyane and Levant. The 
year before, the Cyane engaged a French 44 gun frigate and 
fought her until a British 74 came up and took her — and but a 
short period before that, she engaged di frigate, 14 gun brig and 
five gun-boats, and beat them off, for which the commander de- 
seriiediy received the honours of knighthood — yet, with the as- 
sistance of the Levant, of 21 guns, she and lier consort both 
struck to the Constitution, most emphatically called " Old Iron- 
Sides.'''' Lieut. Hoffman was dispatched with the Cyane to A- 
merica— through all the enemy's ships arrived at New- York' 
and elegantly described the action in his letter to the Secretary 
of the Navy. Capt. Stewart says in his official letter — " He 
gallantly supported the reputation of an American seaman.''^ 
Such a commendation, from such an officer as Capt. Stewart, 
rendered Lieut. Hoffman a fit associate for Comm. Decatur.' He 
was also an active officer in the Constitution, in the actions witk 
the Gurriere and Java. 



228 LIFE OF 

island of Tristun d'Acunha* as the place of rendezvous 
for the squadron. 

Upon the evening of the 14th January, 1815, Comm. 
Decatur and his officers took leave of the gallant and 
accomplished officers of the remaining ships of his 
squadron — some of them, alas ! for the last time, weigh- 
ed anchor in the noble frigate President, and, with his 
pilot, attempted to put to sea.j The official account of 
the occurrences that followed, are detailed by Comm. 
Decatur in his letter to the Secretary of the Navy, in a 
style so far surpassing any other description that could 
be given, that it is here offered to the admiration of 
the reader. 

H, B. M. Ship Endymion, 
At Sea, Jan. 18, 1816. 

Sir — The painful duty of detailing to you the parti- 
cular causes which preceded and led to the capture of 
the late United States frigate President, by a squadron 
of his Britannic majesty's ships (as per margin) has de- 
volved upon me. In my communication of the 14th, I 
made known to you my intention of proceeding to sea 
that evening. Owing to some mistake of the pilots, 

* For an interesting and elegant account of this island, sec 
Analectic Magazine, 

t When Comm. Decatur dismantled the frigate United States, 
and vas appointed to the command of this squadron, his officers 
and crew urgently hoped that they might follow their beloved 
commander to any ship and through every danger. They re- 
mained together. It will be remembered that the gallant and 
amented Lawrence was removed from the noble Constitution 
and his crew, ivith ichomhe had become familiar, to the ill-starred 
Chesapeake and her crew to whom he was almost an entire stranger. 
The result is too well known ! 



, STEPHEN DECATUR. 229 

the ship in going out, grounded on the bar, where she 
continued to strike heavil}' for an hour and a half. Al- 
though she had broken several of her rudder-braces, 
and had received such other material injury as to ren- 
der her return into port desirable, I was unable to do 
so from the strong westerly wind which was then blow- 
ing. It being now high water, it became necessary to 
force her over the bar before the tide fell ; in this we 
succeeded by 10 o'clock, when we shaped our course 
along the shore of Long Island for 60 miles, and then 
steered S. E. by E. At 6 o'clock, three ships were 
discovered ahead; we immediately hauled up the ship 
and passed 2 miles to the northward of them. At day- 
light, we discovered four ships in chase, one on each 
quarter and two astern, the leading ship of the enemy, 
a razee — she commenced a fire upon us, but without 
effect. At meridian, the wind became light and baf- 
fling, we had increased our distance from the raz€e, 
but the next ship astern, which was also a large ship, 
had gained and continued to gain upon us considerably ; 
we immediately occupied all hands to lighten ship, by 
starting water, cutting the anchors, throwing overboard 
provisions, cables, spare spars, boats, and every article 
that could be got at, keeping the sails wet from the roy- 
als down. At 3, we had the wind quite light ; the en- 
emy who had now been joined by a brig, had a-strong 
breeze and were coming up with us rapidl}'. The En- 
dymion (mounting 50 guns, 24 pounders on the main 
deck) had now approached us within gun-shot, and had 
commenced a fire with her bow guns, which we retur- 
ned from our stern. At 6 o'clock, she had obtained a 
position on our starboard quarter, within half point 
20 



230 LIFE OF 

blank shot, on which neither our stern nor quarter guns 
would bear ; we were now steering E. by N. the wind 
N. W. 1 remained with her in thi? position for half 
an hour, in the hope that she would close with us on 
our broadside, ii which case I had prepared my crew to 
board, but from his continuing to yaw his ship to main- 
t'din his position, it became evident that to close was 
not his intention. Every fire now cut gome of our 
sails or rigging. To have continued our course under 
these circumstances, would have been placing it in his 
power to cripple us, without being subject to injury 
hiiiliself, and to have hauled up more to the northward 
to bring our stern guns to bear, would have exposed us 
to his raking fire. It was now dusk, when 1 determined 
to alter my course S. for the purpose of bringing the 
enemy abeam, and although their ships astern were 
drawing up fast, I felt satisfied 1 should be enabled to 
throw him our of the combat before they could come 
up, and was not without hopes, if the night proved dark, 
(of which there was every appearance) that I might 
still be enabled to effect my escape. Our opponent 
kept off at the same instant we did, and commenced at 
ih€ same time. We continued engaged steering south 
with steering sails set two hours and a half, when we 
completely succeeded in dismantling her. Previously 
to her dropping entirely out of the action, there were 
intervals of minutes, when the ships were broadside 
and broadside, in which she did not fire a gun. At this 
period (half past 8 o'clock) although dark, the other 
ships of the squadron were in sight and almost within 
gun-shot. We were of course compelled to abandon 
her. In resuming our former course for the purpose 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 231 

of avoidilig the squadron, we were compelled to pre- 
sent our stern to our antagonist — but such was his state, 
though we were thus exposed and within range of his 
guns tor half an hour, that he did not avail himself of 
this favourable opportunity of raking us. We continued 
this course until 11 o'clock, when two fresh ships of 
the enemy (the Pomona and Tenedos) had come up. 
The Pomona had opened her fire oil the larboard bow, 
within musket-shot ; the other about two cables' 
length astern, taking a raking position t)n our quarter ; 
and the rest (with the exception of the Endymion) with- 
in gun-shot. Thus situated, with about one filth of 
my crew killed and wounded, my ship crippled, and a 
more than four-fold force opposed to me, without a 
chance of escape left, I deemed it my duty to surren- 
der. 

It is with emotions of pride I bear testimony to the 
gallantry and steadiness of every officer and man I had 
the honour to command on this occasion, and I feci sat- 
isfied that the fact of their beating a force equal to 
themselves, in the presence, and almos^iinder the guns 
of so vastly a superior force, when too, it was almost 
self-evident, that whatever their exertions might be, 
they must ultimately be captured, will be taken as evi- 
dence of what they would have performed,- had the 
force opposed to them been in any degree equal. 

It is with extreme pain I have to inform you that 
Lieutenants Babbit, Hamilton and flowell, fell in the 
action. They have left no officers of superior merit 
behind them. 

If, Sir, the issue of this affair had been fortunate, I 
should have felt it my duty to have recommended to 



232 LIFE OF 

your attention Lieutenants Shubrick and Gallagher. 
They" maintained through the day the reputation they 
had acquired in former actions. 

Lieut. Twiggs, of the marines, displayed great zeal ; 
his men were well supplied and their fire incomparable, 
so long as the enemy continued within musket range. 

Midshipman Randolph, who had charge of the fore- 
castle division, managed it to my entire satisfaction. 

From Mr. Robinson, who was serving as a volunteer, 
I received essential aid, particularly after I was depri- 
ved of the services of the master, and the severe loss I 
had .sustained in my officers on the quarter deck. 

Of our loss in killed and wounded, I am unable at 
present to give you a correct statement ; the attention 
of the surgeon being so entirely occupied with the 
wounded, that he was unable to make out a correct re- 
turn when I left the President, nor shall I be able to 
make it until our arrival into port, we having parted 
company with the squadron yesterday. The enclosed 
list, with the exception I fear of its being short of the 
nu^iber, will be found correct. 

• For twenty-four hours after the action it was nearly 
f^a]m,and the squadron were occupied in repairing the 
crippled ships. Such of the crew of the President 
as were not badly wounded, were put on board the dif- 
ferent ships ; myself and part of my crew were put on 
board this ship. On the 17th we had a gale from the 
eastward, when this ship lost her bowsprit, fore and 
mainmast and mizen topmast, all of which were badly 
wounded, and was in consequence of her disabled con- 
dition, obliged to throw overboard all her upper deck 
guns ; her loss in killed and wounded must have been 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 233 

very great. I have not been able to ascertain the ex- 
lent. Ten were buried after I came on board, (36 
hours after the action ;) the badly wounded, such as 
are obhged to keep their cots, occupy the starboard 
side of the gun-deck fvom the cabin-bulk-head to the 
main-mast. From the crippled stale of the President's 
spars, I feel satisfied she could not have saved her 
masts, and I feel serious apprehensions for the safety 
of our wounded. left on board. 

It is due to Capt. Hope to state that every attention 
has been paid by him to myself and officers that have 
been placed on board his ship, that delicacy and human- 
ity could dictate. I have the honour, kc. 

STEPHEN DECATUR. 

Hon. B. W. Crozsnin shield. Secretary of the Navy. 

The loss on board the frigate President, was 25killed, 
and 60 wounded. 

Iti a little singular that Comm. Decatur should so 
much have underrated the disaster which, in the esti- 
mation of the most distinguished naval characters, ocoa- 
sioned the ultimate lo?s of the frigate President. Instead 
of t!ie President remaining on the bar at J^Jew-York " an 
hour and an half" to those who could not be mistaken, 
it was certain she remained there, violently beating 
and thumping, u\ a sirong westerly gale for more than 
t-dco hours., witho'jt any one's fault; and, being heavily 
laden, for a very long cruise, serious fears were enter- 
tained that she would \lo to pieces. Ana here one of 
those misfortunes which no sagacity could foresee — no 
prudence prevent — and no skill avert, and which ren- 
ders scitnce, presence of mind, and fortitude equally 
* 20 



234 LIFE OP 

Tinavailing, happened to the skillful, the cool, and 
dauntless Decatur. His ship, rendered nnore fit for 
the dock than the ocean, was propelled forth by an ir- 
resii^tible wind, and, although navigated with superior 
skill," was driven into the midst of a foe more than four 
times her force,* in the night season. She still would 
sail; and the object of the commander, was, to call into 
operation those masterly manoeuverings which had so 
often enabled American ships to escape from an over- 
uhGlming superiority of force, and which entitles our 
naval officers to applause, little less than that which 
they have received for conquering a superior force. 

To effect an escape from the enemy's squadron which 
was in chase of the President, was the sole object of 
Comm. Decatur; and if to engage and conquer the 
leading ship of the enemy, of equal force with his own, 
would contribute to that object, it certainly was justifia- 
ble to make the attempt, although his prize might af- 
terwards be recaptured, and his own ship taken. He 
did make the atter.ipt and the Endymion was effectual- 
ly conquered — her guns were silenced, — and she omit- 
ted io fire upon the President, wheu ^he best raking 
position was afforded her ; while the frigate President, 
carrying royal studding-sails and near effecting an es- 
cape, was again attacked by the Pomone and Tenedos, 
and the Majestic and Despatch were within gun-shot. 
The rigging of the President being further injured by 
this fresh attack ; — finding resistance vain, and escape 
impossible, for the first, and only time in his life, 

*The British squadron consisted of the Majestic, (rasee or 74.) 
Endymion^ 50 — Pomone,3d—Tencdos, 2d— Despatch, 18. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 235 

Comm. Decatur lowered his flag. He had gained a de- 
cisive virtory ; and, if the common result of victory 
had followed, the American banner would now wave 
upon the noble ship Endymion, and her name ii^puld 
appear in the List of the American Navy. 

Comm. Decatur was ready to deliver his sword to 
that officer of the British squadron who had a right to 
receive it. The gallant Capt Hope of the Endymion, 
would not have asked it had he been in the squadron, 
for he did not join it until six hours after the action. 
Comm. Decatur surrendered his ship, and surrendered 
it only to the whole squadron^ and to the Commander 
in Chief only would he offer it. It was delivered to 
Capt. Hays of the Majestic, (senior officer) upon his 
quarter-deck, who, with that politeness, with which 
one brave man always demeans himself toward another, 
immediaiely returned it to him who had always so nobly 
used it. He did not forget to return Comm. Decatur 
his sword for seve7i days, as Comm.'''iIilIyer did that of 
the gallant Capt. Porter, and the?! to say, " it is in my 
servant's possession, until the master may please to call 
for it." 

A fact which does not appear in Comm. Decatur's 
official letter of IBth January ought to be mentioned. 
Capt. Hope had on board the Endymion dunng the ac- 
tion, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Master's-mate, and 50 seamen from 
the Saturn., in addition to his own crew — and yet he 
was beaten. 

Why Comm. Decatur, should not have mentioned 
his own wound, can be accounted for only from that 
principle of raodesfy, which restrains a brave man from 
speaking of himself. 



236 LIFE OF 

Upon Comm. Decatur's arrival at Bermuda, the ut- 
most attention was paid to him by the civil, naval, and 
military authorities of the place. His well established 
cha^racter had reached that place before he appeared 
there upon his parole of honour. 

But although Comm. Decatur had long been familiar 
with the thunders of batteries and castles upon land, 
and the roaring of cannon upon the ocean, he here had 
to encounter a species of force with which he was yet 
to be made acquainted — " The Artillery of the Press'^ — 
A power which, like Mercury, in the hands of science 
and skiil, is an invaluable blessing ; but in those of ig- 
norance, and sullen stupidity, a dangerous and trouble- 
some evil. The editor of the Bermuda Royal Gazette, 
(not however until he felt himself seatre by the return 
of Comm. Decatur to America) published in his paper 
an outrageous falsehood, calculated to cast a shade 
upon the brilliant fame of the Commodore. Amongst 
other falsehoods he stated that " The President struck 
to the Endytnion, and that after she struck^ Comm. De- 
catur concealed • -8 men in her h)ld to rise upon the prize 
crew .'" Capt. Hope, of the Endyw'ion. disclaimed all 
knowledi?'? of the article, until he savv it in the Gazette, 
and expressly contradicted it. The Editor still per- 
sisted ; and Mr. R. B. Randolph, one of the Midship- 
men of the President under Comm. Decatur, and who 
still remained in the island, chastised the Editor in the 
Kin^^s Square (to use the Midshipman's language) " in 
the most ample and satisfactory manner." Nor was 
this all. The governonr of the Islar d declared, offi- 
cially that — " In justice to himself— to Ca|.t. Hope, 
and to the British nation ; and in common justice to 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 237 

Comtn. Decatur, who is not present to defend himself" 

the scurrilous publieation must be retracted, or he 

would no longer continue to be " his majesty's printer." 
—Probably the Editor who took hh first degree from 
Mr. Randolph upon his back, and choosing not to be 
advanced any farther into the arcanum of disciplme, 
and to secure his bread from the crown, retracted with 
submission as mean, as his slander was impudent. 

It was said that Capt. Garden received thanks in Eng- 
land for his defence of the Macedonian, He deserved 
them as much as Capt. Broke didRknigkthood for taking 
the Chesapeake. The opinion of the Court of inqui- 
ry concerning the loss of the frigate President, is as 
highly commendatory to Comm. Decatur as the vote of 
thanks for capturing the Macedonian. I regret that its 
length forbids an insertion entire. A few extracts will 
be given. — " The primary cause of the loss of thePre- 
sident was her running upon the bar as she was leaving 
this port." — " Her hogged and twisted appearance af- 
ter she arrived at Bermuda, must have been the effect 
of that unfortunate accident."—'* The striking of the 
President on the bar, cannot be imputed to the fault of 
any officer who was attached to her." As to effectmg 
an escape, the Court say — *' No means, in oar opin- 
ion, were so likely to be attended vvith success, as 
those which were adopted by Comm. Decatur." A^ 
to t).e action with the Endymion, it is said — " In this 
unequal conflict, the enemy gained a ship, but the victory 
was ours.-'' In regard to the proposition to board the 
enemy, " and the manner in which the proposition was 
rereived by his gallant crew," the Court, with an ele- 
gance worthy of the exalted subject, say — " Such a dt- 



238 LIFE OF 



.St 



sign, at such a time, could only he conceived by a soul 
with^tfear, and approved, with enthusiastic cheering, 
hy men regardless of danger.'" And, finally, " That 
his conduct, and the conduct of his officers and crew, 
were highly honourable to them, and to the American 
Navy, and deserve the warmest gratitude of their coun- 
tryy 

The Secretary of the Navy, after bestowing the 
mo5t flattering commendations upon Comm. Decatur, 
says — " It would have been equally unjust to your 
merit, as well as to my sentiments, and feelings, to 
have passed over this investigation with a form>al ap- 
probation." 

The writer has been thus minute, and he fears te- 
dious, in detailing the particulars of the loss of the fri- 
gate President. To give an account of a victory is 
much easier, than to assign a reason for a disaster — a 
defeat we cannot with propriety denominate the loss of 
the President. la common with his countrymen, the 
writer participated in the temporary gloom which per- 
vaded the country, when it was announced — '* The 
frigate President is captured by the British from Comm. 
Decatur !" It was almost simultaneous with the an- 
nunciation of peace between the Republic and Britain ; 
and the joy excited by the one, was essentially damp- 
ened by the other. But no sooner was the occurrence 
understood, than a new cause for triumph was afforded 
for our naval victories, and every one was ready to ex- 
claim, in the language of the Court of Inquiry who in- 
vestigated the subject — " The enemy gained a ship, 

BUT THE VICTORY WAS OURS." 

The reader will naturally enquire what became of 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 239 

the Hornet, Capt. Biddle, and Peacock, Capt. Warring- 
ton, which belonged to Comm. Decatur's Squadron. 
It would be a delightful eaiploy, to give a minute ac- 
count of these noble Sloops of War and their gallant 
commanders while in this squadron. A brief one will 
be attempted. 

Pursuant to Coram. Decatur's orders, they proceed- 
ed unmolested to the Island oiTristun de Acunha, as the 
place of rendezvous appointed by him. The Hornet 
separated from the Peacock in a chase, two days out. 
Upon 23d March, 1816, as Capt Biddle was about to an- 
chor the Hornet at the north end of Tristun de Acunha, 
he fell in with one of the largest armed, and best fitted 
Brigs in the British navy, and commanded by one of 
the most distinguished of the younger class of British 
naval officers. It was the Penguin, .Capt. Dickinson, 
mounting 20 guns. Admiral Tyler loaned him 12 men 
from the Medway, 74, — and he was directed particular- 
ly to cruise for the Young Wasp, much superior in her 
armament to the Hornet. The little Hornet, in the 
hands of Capt. Biddle, nobly supported the fame she 
acquired in the hands of the heroic and lamented Caj)t. 
Lawrence. 

Capt. Biddle, in his letter to his beloved comman- 
der, Comm. Decatur, of the 26th March, says — " From 
thejiring ofthejirstgun, to the last time the enemy cried 
out he had surrendered, was exactly twenty- two minutes.^^ 
After surrendering the Jir si time, Capt. Biddle receiv- 
ed a dangerous wound in his neck ! ! Twenty men were 
killed or died of wounds in the Penguin, and thirty-five 
wounded. In the Hornet 1 killed, 9 wounded. The 
Penguin was so completely riddled in her hull, and her 



240 LIFE pF 

rigging so effectually -demolished, that Capt. Biddle 
scuttled and sunk her — the second ship of superior 
force, that the Hornet had sent to the bottom. 

Toward the close of the action, the gallant Capt. 
Dickinson exclaimed to his 1st Lieut. Mc^ Donald — 
" The fellows are giving it to us like hell — we must get 
on board" — and in a few minutes after, fell dead upon 
his deck, with a terrible shot.— Capt. Biddle asked 
Mc'Donald why he did not board the Hornet ? He an- 
swered — " He did try — but found the men rather back- 
ward — and so you know we concluded to give it up." 

The Peacock, Capt. Warrington, joined the Hornet, 
a few days after this brilliant victory, — remained at 
Tristun de Acunha, according to Comip. Decatur's in- 
structions ; and then sailed for the East-Indies. — Upon 
the 27th and 28th April, chased a strange sail, suppos- 
ed to be an Indiaman, until she was discovered to be 
a ship of the line ; which, upon the 29th hoisted Eng- 
lish colours — shewed a rear Admiral's flag, and com- 
menced firing upon the Hornet — The chase lasted 42 
hours ! and to give the expressive language of Capt. 
Biddle in his letter to Comm. Decatur of June 10th, 
1815 — »'lt was with the most painful reluctance, and 
upon the fullest conviction, that it was indispensible, 
in order to prevent a greater misfortune, that I could 
bring my mind to consent to part with my guns.'' One 
of Capt. Biddle's accomplished officers remarks, after 
describing the imminent danger they were in, and their 
fortunate escape — " Never has there been so evident 
an interposition of the goodness of a divine Father — my 
heart with gratitude, acknowledges his supreme pow- 
er and goodness." A heart thus gratefal to a Divine 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 21 I 

Father, would raise a fearless Iiand in fighting his ene- 
my. When every hope of escape had vanished, and 
the shot ^vas whisthng through the Hornet, the exhaust- 
ed Capt. Biddle mustered his worn out officers and 
crew— thanked them for their unparalleled exertions, 
and told them they might soon expect to be captured! 
"Not a dry eye" (continues the officer) " was to be 
seen at the mention of capture. The rugged hearts of 
the sailors, like ice before the sun, wept in unison with 
their brave commander.'* 

Upon the arrival of the Hornet at St. Salvador upon 
the 9th June, without anchor, cable, or boat, and but 
one gmi, Capt. Biddle received news of Peace. The 
Hornet returned safe to America ; and the veteran Dfe- 
CATUR, weicomisd the gallant Biddle, with one of the 
remainder of his squadron*— a squadron never surpass- 
ed either in conquering an equal, or in escaping an over- 
whelming superior force. Whenever a BriHsh naval 
officer looks with complacency upon the frigate Presi- 
dent -AtSjnthead, let him remember the shattered Endij- 
mio7i,— the sunken Penguin, and the mortified rear-ad- 
miral (name unknown) whose cannon could not sink, 
and whose ^kill could not capture the Hornet or PeJ 
cock. In regard to the whole of this little squadron, then, 
we may again repeat : — 

' The enemy gained a ship— the victory was ours/ 

* The Peacock cruised nine months. A war against Algiers 
had been declared, prosecuted, and ended, s^nce the Peacock 
sailed; and Comm. Decatur returned triumphantly /rom the ■ 
Mediterranean, about the same time Capt. Warrin.^on returned 
With the Peacock. 

21 



212 LIFE%F 



CHAPTER XVr- 

C'ouim. Decatur returns from his fourth cruise— Reception— 
Peace ratified— Scenes of domestic felicity— Depredations 
of Barbary powers— By whom instigated— Squadron to chas- 
tise and humble them—Comm. Decatur appointed to command 
the first Mediterranean Squadron in 1815— Victory over Alge- 
rine Admiral— Consternation of the Dey— Indemnifies Ame- 
ricans and concludes a Treaty of Peace— Comm. Decatur de- 
mands and receives indemnification from Tunis and Tripoli 
for'British violations— Demands release of Christian captives 
—Restores them to Naples, and is honoured by the King— Sur- 
j-enders squadron to Comm. Bainbridge, and returns to Ame- 
•a — Comm. Bainbridge's respect to him. 



ric; 



Comm. t)ecatur, in h\s fourth cruise, had been ab- 
sent from New-York, //i!?/ one days, during which time 
he conquered a British frigate, equal to his force— al- 
most escaped a British squadron four times his force- 
arrived in a British port— arranged his affairs with the 
British forces, and upon returning again to New-York 
found his beloved country enjoying a peace which he 
had so signally aided in rendering secure, and it is hoped 
as permanent as the fame he had acquired. He was 
welcomed into th^t patriotic city with no less ardour of 
attachment, and with no less admiration for his gallantry, 
than when he gladdened the eyes of the citizens with 
the sight of the Macedoiiian, on the 1st of January, 
V613 ; and were not the repetition oUeremonious at- 
tentions calculated to " pall upon the senses," and 
?p!endld spectacle?, like beauty made familiar, to " fade 
in the eye," they might well have again surrounded the 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



243 



festive board, and displayed another transparency : — 
*'The President beating the Endymion, Jan. loth, 
1815." Butjhe^ exalted sentiment in tbe Declaration 
of American Independence, in ihefrst war with Bri- 
tain, and which was rendered secure by the second vfar 
just closed, is : — 

^' Enemies in War—in Peace, Friends." 

Could the noble Decatur, and the no less noble 
Hardy have now met, they could cordially have re- 
ciprocated the sentiment expressed by the last, even 
when in sight of the first with a superior force — " I shall 
hail, with pleasure, the return of an amicable adjust- 
ment of the differences between the two nations."* 
These " ditTerences," would have been "adjusted" in 
the cabin of Comm. Decatur's frigate, or Sir T. M. 
Hardy's 74, in twelve hours, had they been clothed 
with diplomatic powers. Tl.e rorm:ii exhibition of 
credentials, interchange of poin'crs, protocols, sine-qua- 
nons, vltiinatums, ct cetera, et cetera, would soon have 
been " cleared for action," and they would have brought 
their minds to the subject in a style as noble as either 
of them would have carried their ships into combat. 

Comm. Decatur was now in the enjoyment of every 
temporal felicity. Although in a degree worn by the 
" peltings of the pitiless storms" of war, created by the 
passion of men, and those of the elements by the winds 
of heaven, he had no mutilated limb to torture or de- 
form him. From boyhood he had been in the thickest 
showers of the messengers of death, and the king of 
terrors had strode around him, and often encrimsoned 

* Vide Chap. XIII.— Challenge, ^"c. 



244 



LIFE OF 



him with the blood of his foes ; but these dangers he 
had escaped almost unhurt, and might have said, with 
his admired friend Comm^ Macdonough, after the car- 
nage around him had ceased, and he untouched. 
'* There is a power above which determined the fate of 
nian.^' It was not the destiny of Comm. Decatur to 
die by the hands oi foreign enemies. 

Although he had long been inured to the fatigues, the 
anxieties, the privations, and th6 ruggedness of naval 
warfare, and had reaped so largely of the conquest- 
wove wreaths of garlands, in ^rt'o* hemispheres, yet 
he had not lost his relish for the mild, and innocent, 
and fascinating charms of peace. Although he was as 
tearless and death-daring as Richard in war, he had, 
unlike him, other employments in peace than " To 
view his own shadow in the sun, and descant upon its 
deformities," or to " lay plots and form inductions" for 
the murder of his kinsmen or his companions. Al- 
though he was delighthd with, and imparted delight to 
public assemblies and splendid levees, yet it was in the 
bosom of his own family where his happiness was con- 
summated — for there he found bis own heart, and car- 
ried into it the heart he received for it. His kindred, 
by blood, had been farther diminished by the death of 

* " The same chivalrous chief, who bore 
Rich tributes once frpm Barb'ry's shore,* 

As AUaWs sons can tell — 
But now a nobler trophyt shows, 
Wrested from mightier, manlier foes, 

Who fought so long— so well." 

Ocean— A Naval Odje. 

Tripoli, 1804. + Macedonian, 1812. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. -^i'' 

his venerated father, and perhaps by others. Tlv.^ 
death of this noble fither must have severed one of th- 
strong hgaments that bound his gallant son to this 
world. Could he have survived the war with Briiqin, 
as he did that of Tripoli, and have rejoiced with hie 
countrymen in the augmented renown of his son, and 
the increased glory of the American Navy, he might 
well have exclaimed to his Creator—" .Vocj let thy 
servant die in peace." 

But these charming scenes, in which rapturous dtv 
light was mingled, with soothing melancholy, were of 
short duration with Comm. Decatur. He was again to 
be called into a contest which fniglit be more sanguina- 
ry than even those through which 4c had passed. , It 
was not merely with one of the Bardary powers — it 
was with every one of them who had preyed upon A- 
merican commerce or citizens themselves, but who 
had permitted Englishmen, during the last war, to vio- 
late the law of nations in their neutral ports, by cap- 
turing American ships and seamen in them. 

As these injuries from Barbarians were chiefly sus- 
tained during the war with Britain, and, as a belliger- 
ent, she possessed a right to do America all the harm 
she could, perhaps it will be deemed equally justifi;ible 
in that power to have let loose upon us the Savages of 
Africa, as well as those of America. That the ravages 
in the Mediterranean sea and ports upon Americans. 
by the Barbary powers, in 1813, 1814, and 1815, were 
encouraged or caused by Englij^hmen, is easily demon- 
strated, and will be very briefly attempted. 

Tobias Leap., Esq. once the private Secretary and 
confidential friend of President Washington, had for 
21 * 



24i} LIFE OF 

many years been Arnerican consul general at the Bar- 
baiy ^t,ltes. It will be recollected that he negociated 
the peace with Tripoli, while Comra. Decatur was ly- 
ing before that place in the Constitution, and Congress. 
At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, 
Mr. Lear was American Consul-General at Algiers. 
Aftcrthe declaration of war, the American ship Alle- 
gJuwy-cwnvcd at Algiers with stores, in fulfilment of our 
treaty with that power. The Dey refused to receive 
them — ordered Consul Lear and every 7\merican to 
leave the city in the Alleghany. The ship arrived at 
Gibraltar — was condemned, with her cargo — her crew 
sent to England as prisoners of war ; and Mr. Lear, 
although a Consul-General , was compelled to return to 
America by way of Cadiz. At about the same time, 
the Algerine flt^et of 5 Frigates, 3 Corvettes, 2 Brigs, 
1 Xebec, 1 Schooner, and several Gun-Boats and Row- 
Gallies, sailed from Algiers. At near the close of the 
year 1812, orders were given in London, fpr stores to 
equip the ALGERINE NAVY, to the amount of One 
Hundred Sjxty Thousa.nd Dollars. A very short 
extract' from Consul Lear's letter will be all the other 
reason that will here be given as to the cause of the 
war with Algiers. . He says — *' I had reason to 
think the conduct of the Dey of Algiers, toward the 
United States, was ins'.igated by the British ; as it 
was universally acknowledged by the public functiona- 
ries, and others in Algiers, that the government of the 
United States had been remarkably faithful in the fulfil- 
ment of their treaty stipulations with the Dey and Re- 
gency of Algiers*" 

Bit however the war was occasioned, it will very 
briefly be shown how ii was conducted and concluded. 



Stephen decatur. 247 

Comm. Decatur, was once more designated to ap- 
pear in the theatre of his early glory, as Commander in 
Chief of a squadron to conquer the enemy into peace, 
and then, as a JVegociator, to agree upon the terms of 
it. His name had become as terrible to the enemies 
of America, upon the ocean, as that of Nelson onc6 
was to the enemies of Britain. 

The ships and the commanders in the squadron, des- 
tined to the Mediterranean in 1815, were as follows—- 

T^i cu- n ■ A A Comm. Decatur, > 

r as: ohip, Gurriere, 44 ^ , , } 

*^' ' Capt. Lewis. ^ 

Frigate Macedonian,! 36 Capt. Jones. 

,, ,, Constellation, 36 Capt. Gordon. 

Sloop of War, Ontario, 1-8 Mast. Comdt. J. D. Elliot. 

,, ,, Epervier, 18 Lieut. Downs. 

Schooner, Flambeau, 12 Lieut. J. B. Nicholson. 

,, ,, Spark, 12 Lieut. T. Gamble. 

,, ,, Spiifire, 11 Lieut. A. J. Dallas. 

,, ,, Torch, 10 Lieut. W. Chauncey. 

Comm. Decatur rendezvoused at New- York, with 
his squadron, as one instrument of negociation, and 
with Instructio7is from the President of the United 
States as another. He sailed from New-York), 20th 
May, 1815, and reached the bay of Gibraltar in trventy- 
five days, (14th June) — mailed round the harbour with 
his squadron, in elegant style, with bis broad pendant, 
and all his flags flying, without coming to anchor. As 
he was passing round, an immense throng of British 
naval oflicers were critically viewing tiie Ameiican 
fleet. One of them a-kf^d an American gentleman 
present, to give the names of the different ships. 
With the utmost politeness, he pointed to the Commo- 
dore's, and said — " That, Sir, is the Gurriere'' — TUen 



248 LIFE OF 

pointing to Capt. Jones' — "That, Sir, is the Macedoni- 
an]' — Then at Lieut. Downs'— " That, .Sir, is the 

Epervier^^ — and, proceeding, " The next, Sir, is 

" O damn the next" said they, and in chagrin walked 
off at hearing the names of three ships captured from 
their navy. Their informant might have given them 
7nore names of ships, captured from Britain, than the 
rc^^o/e of Comm. Decatur's squadron. 

* Coram. Decatur having learned that dispatches 
were instantly sent ofT to the Algerine fleet, announc- 
ing his arrival at Gibraltar, immediately passed the 
straitsinto the Mediterranean, in pursuit of it, fearing 
it would reach a " neutral port." 

The celebrated Hammida, was the Algerine Admiral, 
and sailed in the frigate Mazouda, He had excited the 
unbounded admiration of the Dey, by his unceasing ac- 
tivity, and the terror of defenceless merchantmen by 
his diabolical rapacity. Upon June 17th, Comm. De- 
catur, in the Gurriere, had the good fortune to fall in 
with the Admiral's frigate which had separated from 
the fleet — gave him two broadsides — brought down the 
Turkish crescent — killed thirty of the crew, and 
amongst them the renowned Hammida ; aad took 406 
prisoners. Upon the 19th, captured an Algerine Brig 
of 22 guns and sent her into Carthagena. 

Correctly concludifig the enemy's fleet had reached 

* The facts from which the following brief sketch is made, 
were gathered from the official letters of Comra. Decatur, and 
W. Shaler, Esq. to Hon James VIonroe, Secretary of State 
—from those of Comm. Decatur, to Hon. Benjamin VV.Crown- 
inshield, Secretary of the Navy,— and from publications, and 
communications, upon which the most perfect reliance is placed. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 249 

a neutral port, he shaped his course, with his prize, 
and prisoners for Algiers. He arrived there upon the 
28th, and came to an anchor with his whole squadron. 

Determining to know, forthwith, whether peace 
co'ild be negoci'Dted upon the terms he and William 
Shaler, Esq. (who was a joint negociator with him) 
had to propose, he immediately dispatched a letter 
from the President of the United States, to the Dey, to 
enable him to have a fair opportunity to negociate up- 
on fair and equal terms, and that without the least delay 
or procrastination. Comm. Decatur could negociate 
at Algiers either way, and as rapidly as Lord Nelson 
once did at Copenhagen — but let not tlie coinparisoa 
go farther. Decatur was prepared to make war upon, 
or peace with, a power which had wantonly invaded 

the rights of his country— Nelson ''butbe- 

shrew the sombre pencil." » 

Upon receipt of the President's letter, the Dey 
dispatched his Port-Captain (an officer high in rank) 
accompanied by the Swedish consul, on board the Gur- 
rierc, who were received with the utmost courtesy by 
Comm. Decatur and Mr. Snaler, who iiiformed the Port- 
Captain that they were authorised, by the Am-'^rican 
government, to negociate a treaty, the basis of which 
must be, an unequivocal relinquishmerst of all annual 
tribute, or ransom for prisoners. The Port-Capt\in 
still had confidence in the marine f jrce of the Dey, and 
in Admiral Hammida ; and assured the Commodon^. that 
their squadron was safe in a neutral port. " JVot all of 
it^^^ answered Comm. Decatur. '' The frigate Mazou- 
da, and a 22 gun Brig, are already captured, and your 
Admiral Hammida is killed.'^ With a look of incredu- 



250 , LIFE OF 

lity, mingled with tluit contempt which a Mahotneian is 
taught by his religion to feel towards Christians, and 
which {le never relinquishes until contempt gives place 
to/ear,, he denied the fact. Hanimida's Lieutenant, 
who was a prisoner in the Gurriere, was called in, who 
tren\blingly ackno'Aledged the truth of the assertion. 
The dismayed Port- Captain said he was not authorised 
to make a treaty ; and beseeched that hostilities might 
cease, until a treaty could be negociated onshore. Said 
Cbmtn. Decatur: ''' Hostilities will not cease until a 
treaty is made ; and a treaty will not he made any where 
hut on hoard the Gurriere^ 

The Port-Captain, and the Swedish Consul went on 
shore. The next day, June 30th, the Port-Captain 
and Swedish Consul came out again to the Gurriere, 
with full powers to negociate. The articles of a trea- 
ty were piesented to them, by the American Commis- 
sioners, which it was declared wsiild not be v^aried in 
any material point. The Algerine commissioners in- 
sisted that property taken frooi Americans should not 
be regstorcd, as it was dispersed into many hands. It 
was answered, " As it was unjustly taken it must be res- 
toredx>r paid for. ^'' The relinquishment of tribute from 
America, was the most difficult point to settle ; as the 
relii^quishment to that power might lead to a relin- 
quishment to all others, and cause the Dey's destruc- 
tion. It was said, even a little powder as annual tri- 
bute, miglit be satisfactory. •' If you insist upon receiv- 
ing powder as tribute, ^^ said Uie Commodore, " ?/ow 
must expect to receive balls withit.''^ 

The unyielding firmness of the American Commis- 
sioners — added to the force which they had to compel 



STEPHEN DECATUR. \ 251 

a compliance with their re^sonrble demands, induced 
the Dey to ratify the treaty the same day it was made, 
(June 30th, 18U.) 

One of the Dey's courtiers, while this sudden negoci- 
ation was going on, thus addressed the British Consul ; 
— *' You told us that the American Navy would be des- 
troyed in six months by you, and now they make war 
upon lis with three of your own vessels they have takin 
from you." 

Thus was a very important treaty negociated \n forty- 
eight hours, giving to the American government and 
citizens, privileges and immunities never before granted 
by a Barbary State to any Christian power. The 
treaty consists of twenty-two articles, and is too long 
for insertion in this volume. In consequence of ob- 
tainingjust such a treaty as was demanded, the captured 
frigate was indignantly given up, to appease the lacera- 
ted feelings of the Dey, and to save him from the assas- 
sination of his own slaves. The brig was given up upon 
the release of the Spanish consul, and a Spanish mer- 
chant, in bondage in Algiers ! 

Coram. Decatur immediately dispatched Capt. Lewis 
in the Brig Epervier, to America with the treaty, and 
left Mr. Shaler at Algiers as American Consul-General 
to the Barbary States. 

Comm. Decatur, having closed his concerns with 
Omar, Dey of Algiers, learned that the Bey of Tunis 
had violated our treaty with that power, by permitting 
a British ship of war to take two prizes of the Abcellino 
from the neutral port of Tunis, during the war with 
Britain. He left Algiers 8th July — obtained water and 
refreshments niCagliari on the 15th — and, on the 25th, 



252 



LIFE OP 



anchored in the bay of Tunis. The Commodore com- 
municated with the American consial, and immediately 
demanded ample satisfaction. The Bey, although he 
had a powerful marine force between him and the 
American squadron, acceded to the demand of g46,000, 
and paid the money to Mr. JYoah, agent for the Mcellino, 
upon the 31st. Upon paying the money, the prime 
minister's brother, who fluently spoke English, turned 
to the British consul, then in conference with Comm. 
Decatur, and indignantly said,— " You see, Sir, what 
Tunis is obliged to pay for your insolence. I ask you, 
whether you think it just,/rsno violate our neutrality, 
and then to leave us to be destroyed, or pay for your 
aggressions ?" Such an interrogatory from a Mahomet- 
an to a Christian, would have made Hamlet exclaim — 
" That is wormwood." 

Upon the 2nd August, Comm. Decatur sailed for 
Tripoli, and anchored there upon the 3th. A combina- 
tion of circumstances rendered his arrival at this place, 
an# the situation in which he arrived, most peculiarly 
interesting. He once more beheld the batteries and 
the cast!'.% under the guns of which, more than eleven 
and a half years before, he destroyed the frigate Phila- 
delphia — and but two days from eleven years since he, 
with the gallant Macdonough and a little crew, fouirht 
the unparalleled battle with the gun boats — slew double 
their own number — captured two full-manned boats with 
one boat less than half-manned^ and avenged the death 
of Lieut. Decatur. Here too, was the theatre of Vom- 
ers', Wadsworth's and Israel's glory, and their glorious 
voluntary deaths. If gallant spirits above, are permit- 
ted to Witness scenes below, with what rapture must 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 25i3 

the spirits of these immortalized heroes have hovered 
oveithe American squadron, watting triumphantly upon 
the waves from which they ascended. 

From the deck of the Macedonian, a visible trophy 
of Decatur's glory, the gallant Capt. Jones could view 
the cattle in which he was, for many tedious months, 
gloomily incarcerated— from which his pi esent com- 
mander in chief with the great Preble, restored him— ■ 
and whose noble prize he now commanded. 

Comm. Decatur immediately communicated with Mr. 
Jones, the American consul at Tripoli, and learned that 
the Bashaw permitted a British sloop of war to take 
two American vessels from his harbour, and refused 
protection to an American cruiser in the la-?t war. The 
Commodore immediately made demand of the Bashaw 
for a full restitution. The sum demanded was $25,000. 
The governour was dispatched to the Gurriere to iiv- 
duce a diminution of the sum. He might have said— 
'-' Mon potent chief, my master, the son of the Prophet, 
eleven years past, demanded of the great Preble, 
$600,0C0, as tribute and ransom, and received but 

$60,000." The Commodore might have answered 

'' Fowr demand arose irom your wickedness m enslaving 
American citizens— owrs arises hom justice in claiming 
indemnification for your violation of our treaty. The 
American government paid the $60,000 out oi compas- 
sion to your master, and we demand about half of it 
back as a matter of right— The money must be imme- 
diately p;ud to the American consul." It was paid. 

Comm. Decatur demanded the restoration of two 
Daties, and eight Neapolitans from bondage. - They 
22 



254 LIFE OF 

were restored, and came on board the Gurriereio hail 
their " Dehverer." 

Comm. Decatur sailed for Syracuse, the principal 
rendezvous of Comm. Preble's squadron in 1803 and 
1804, where the then Lieut. Decatur, with Stewart, 
Lawrence, Morris, Macdonough and other young and 
gaHant orean-warriours, digested those plans and expe- 
ditions that began that reputation which each of them 
have so nobly advanced since, and which may now be 
said to be unrivalled by any class of men who ever ex- 
isted. The squadron reached there the 10th August, 
and upon the 20th reached Messina^ for the purpose of 
making a few repairs, as the squadron had been on the 
wing almost constantly since it left America. He was 
here on the dominions of the king of Naples, and here 
landed the overjoyed Neapolitans whom he rescued 
from Tripolitan bondage. 

Comm. Decatur, after sufficiently repairing, sailed 
for the Bay of Naples, and arrived there Sept. 2nd. 
Every officer in the squadron well knew, that in this 
ba^. Nelson once received the most unbounded honors, 
and that in this bay, captivated by the fascinating charms, 
and depraved by the diybolical heart of Lady Hamilton, 
he impress' d a stain upjjn his escutcheon which the 
splendid rays of his glory could never conceal. The 
murdered Neapolitan Marquis Caracciallo^ will never 
be forgotten by the readers of Nelson's biography.* 

The noble Decatur, with a fame untarnished, and 
with a grateful heart, arrived here to acknowledge a 

* Vide Southey's Life of Nelson. Chamock, another biogra- 
pher of Nelson has omitted this tragical story. 



STEPHEN DECATUR.* 265 

tavouryears before received from the king of Naples, 
or two Sicilies, and to make a suitable return tor the 
obligation. Through the Minister of Foreign Jiff'airs, 
he thus addressed the King. 

U. S. Ship Gurriere, Naples, Sept. 8, 1815. 

Sir — I have the honour to inform your excellency 
that in my late negociation with the Bashaw of Tripoli, 
I demanded and obtained the release of ei^/irNeapolitan 
captives, subjects of his majesty, the king of the two Si- 
cilies. These I have landed at Messina. It affords 
me great pleasure to have had it in my power, by this 
small service, to evince to his majesty the grateful sense 
entertained by our government, of the aid formerly 
rendered to us by his Majesty during our war with 
Tripoli. 

With great respect and consideration, I have the 
honour to be your excellency's most obedient servant. 

STEPHEN DECATUR. 

His excellency, the Marquis Cercello^ 
Secretary of State, 4'c. 4*e. 

The Marquis, after acknowledging the receipt of the 
letter, and laying it before " the king his master,' thus 
proceeds. 

Naples, 1 2th Sept. 1815. 

Sir — His Majesty has ordered me to acknowledge 

this peculiar favour as the act of your generosity, which 

you have been pleased to call a return for the trifling 

assistance which the squadron of your nation formerly 



256 



LIFE OF 



received from his royal government daring the war 
with Tripoli. 

In doing myself the pleasure of manifesting this senti- 
ment of my king, and of assuring you, m his name, that 
the brave American nation will always find in his Ma- 
jesty's ports the best reception — I beg you will receive 
th^^ssurancesof my most distinguished consideration. 

Marquis CERCELLO, 

Secretary of State, and Minister of 
Foreign Aflairs. 
(^omm. Decatur, Commander of 
the Squadron of U. S. of America. 

When Comni. Decatur received this acknowledgment 
from the king of the Two Sicilies, his noble and gene- 
rous heart felt a higher satisfaction than when Nelson, 
from the same source received the Title and Dukedom 
of Bronte, 

* The Commodore, in a letter to the Secretary of the 
Navy, of August 31st, says — " I hope to find the relief 
squadron from America." — He sailed for Gibraltar, and 
there enjoyed the satisfaction of finding his noble friend 
Comm. Bainbridge, in the noble line of battle ship 
Independjpnpe, the first American ship of her rate that 
ever anchored in the bay of Gibraltar. She was ac- 
companied by the Congress, Chippeze,'a, Saranac, Erie, 
&;c. and both Squadrons formed a junction under Comm. 
Bainbridge. 

Upon the arrival of Comm. Bainbridge at Gibraltar 
with the relief squadron, the officers of his Britannic Ma- 
jesty's army, were as much irritated with the names of 
some of his ships, as the naval officers were with those 
of Comm. Decatur's. The " Chippewa'^ reminded 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 257 

them of the battle of the 5th of July, 1814, in the Pen- 
insula of Upper Canada. The '' Saranac" of the bat- 
tle of Pittsburgh, September 11th. The ''Erie'' of 
the splendid sortie from that fort, September 17th. 

Comm. Bainbridge arrived at Cartfiagena about the 
10th of August, 1813 — proceeded to Algiers, and by 
exhibiting the Independence convinced the Dey of a 
fact which he before doubted ; that the American gov- 
ernment could build Seventy-Fours without the consent 
of that of Great Britain. He found Mr. Shaler and his 
countrymen in the enjoyment of the peace negociated 
a few weeks before by Comm. Decatur and him. 

He then proceeded to Tripoli, and found the vigilant 
Decatur had suddenly settled affairs with that barba- 
rian power. It is easy to imagine the feelings of the 
noble Commodore upon reaching the bay of Tripoli. It 
was there the fine frigate Philadelphia was lost upon the 
rocks, under his command — and it was in the dismal 
dungeon now in his view, where he, Capts. Porter^ 
Jones, Biddle, and his fine crew, lingered away eight'^en 
tedious months in a bondage indescribably wretched. 
Hid war existed, the castle where he was immured, 
would have been demolished by his squadron in one 
hour. 

He then sailed for Tunis and found the dismayed Tu- 
nisian Bey had given all that Decatur demanded, — 
shewed him his squadron, and took his leave. 

He then sailed for Malaa;a, having mis«ed Comm. 
Decatur, who was either Ai Mussina, repairing his fleets 
or at Naples, receiving the grateful acknowledgments 
of a king. At M daga, the governour manifested a res- 
pect for Comm. Bainbridge which he never had shewn 
* 22 



258 LIFE OF 

to any admiral, of high or low grade* He made the 
Commodore a formal visit in the Independence, where 
afterwards, (in 1817) the President of the United States 
paid him the same respect. No man deserved his 
honours better. Comm. Bainbridge is not only an ac- 
complished and gallant, but a veteran naval officer. 

He met Comm. Decatur at Gibraltar — tiie two squad- 
rons formed a junction at that place — and he, with infi- 
nite satisfaction, lowered his broad pendant, and saw 
that of his noble friend in life and at death, triumphantly 
waving over a noble fleet of Sevknteen Sail : a fleet, 
a commander, officers, and seamen, never surpassed, if 
ever equalled. 

Eleven years before this period, the little squadron of 
Comm. Preble had excited the admiration ijf the friends 
of the Republic and the consternation of her enemies. 
The achievements of this, had produced unspeakable 
atonishment. Comm. Bainbridge, in speaking of the 
Barhary powers of Africa, says — " The only mode of 
convincing these people is, by occular demonstration.^^ 
Comm. Decatur says — " The only sure guarantee we 
can have for the maintenance of the peace just concluded 
^with these people, is the presence, in the Mediterranean 
@f a respectable naval force.'''' 

The disciples and followers o^ Allah, Mahomet, Ma- 
hommed, or whatever the arch impostor oi Mecca may 
be called, may hereafter rest assured, that their four- 
times -daily repeated orisons, and their devotional enu- 
meration of beads, will no more save them from the 
Chrittiun cannon of America, when they recommence 
tkeir Mahometan rapacity. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



259 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Recapitulation of Coram. Decatur's achievements &c. in the 
Mediterranean in 1815 — Rewards by promotion — Necessity 
of different grades of office — Arduous duties of Department 
of the Kavy — Board of Navk Commissioners established — 
Comm. Decatur appointed Navy Commissioner — Duties of 
the Navy Commissioners — Responsibility of the office — Na- 
val Architecture— Rates of Ships — Comparative power — 
Annual expense of ships of different rates— Improvement in 
Ship-building — Inventians — Assiduity of Comm. Decatur — 
Honours paid him — Difficulty of designating Officers — Comm. 
Macdonough-'Comm. Barron. 

Comm. Decatur arrived in America in the Gurriere 
upon the 12th day of November 1816, having surren- 
drred the other ships of his squadron to Comm. Bain- 
bridge, and which returned in the squadron with him. 
Comm. Decatur had been absent from America one 
hundred and eighty- seven days. It may afford gratifica- 
tion, as it surely must excite astonishment to the reader, 
to recapitulate ^ in few words, the service performed, 
and the deeds achieved by the squadron under his 
command during this period — the time m which a single 
merchantman usually makes a voyage from an Ameri- 
can to an European port, and back again. In this little 
period of time, Comm. Decatur 

1 . Made a voyage from America to Europe in squadron. 

2. Captured an Algerine Frigate in the Mediterraneariy 
killed the Algerine Admiral with 30 of his crew, and 
took 406 prisoners. 



260 LIFE OF 

3. Captured a large Algerine Brig of war, with 170 
prisoners, and sent her to a neutral port. 

4. Negociated a most advantageous treaty with the Dey 
of Algiers — obtained indemnification for captures of 
American merchantmen, kc. &c. and released a Spa- 
nish consul and merchant from bondage. 

5. Demanded and obtained indemnification from the 
kingdomofTwm's, for suffering the British to violate 
the neutrality of their port by taking American ves- 
sels. *■ 

0. Demanded and obtained from the kingdom of Tripoli 
indemnification for the same cause, and the release 
of ^e/i European Christian slaves in bondage. 

7. Repaired the American Squadron in a Neapolitan 
port. 

8. Restored to the king of the Two Sicilies, eight of his 
subjects rescued from Turkish bondage — received 
his grateful acknowledgments and assurances of fa- 
vour to the '•'brave American nation.''^ 

9. Sailed down the Mediterranean and surrendered his 
squadron (except the Gurriere) in prime order to 
Coram. Bail-bridge. 

10. Made a voyage from Europe to America in the 
Gurriere. 

We may fruitlessly search the annals of navigation, 
from the time the raagoetic needh> was discovered — 
from the days of Vasqmz de Gama, and Columbu?, (the 
first of whom ^rsi doubled the Cape of Good Hope, 
at about the same time the last discovered the continent 
of America) down to this period (J 820) for a parallel 
with this accurate statomt^nt. Had Comm. Decatar, 
with his squadron gone merely upon a sailing '' match 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 2dl 

against titne,*^ as his skilful father did against Capt. 
Tryon,* he would have been far more successful than 
his progenitor. But how must the admiration of the 
reader be augmented when he reflects, that during this 
period he conquered one of the most powerful and war- 
ring kingdoms of Mahomet into peace — compelled two 
more refractory kingdoms of the Prophet of Mecta to 
bow to American prowess, and, after restoring Chris- 
tian captives to their homes, received the grateful hom- 
age of a Christian king ? The celerity and power of his 
movements in this justly renowned expedition, reminds 
one of the passage of the electric fluid through the at- 
mosphere, and the prostration of every object it strikes, 
at one moment raising wonder, at the next exciting 
consternation.! 

In this, Decatur's last expedition to the Mediterra- 
nean, he clearly evinced the five great qiialificitionsof 
an accomplished naval commander — Nautical skill — 
SCIENCE IN Naval tactics — perseverance in pursuit 
— SKILL in gunnery, arid bravery in action. Th^j two 
last he had but little opportunity to call into operation ; 
for the renowned Hammida, in the hea\ i.^st Algerine 
frigate Mazouda with a crew of from 450, tcr 500, was 
slain at the first ^^roadside from the Gurriere, and at the 
second, his lieutenant struck the Turkish crescent to 
the American banner. 

* Vide Chap. III. 

+ I^est this should be deemed <' a most fiery simile,^^ its extra- 
vagance is certainly less than that of a writer m Q^ueen Ann''s 
rei^n (the Augustan age of England) who compares the victories 
of the Duke of Marlborough to that of Michael^ hurling moun- 
tains at the rebellious angels, and thrusting them out of heaven. 



262 tlFE OF 

Comm. Decatur's arrival from the Mediterranean, 
diffused the most enthusiastic joy amongst his asso- 
ciates— -the. measures he had pursued received the high 
commendation, and unqualified approbation of the A- 
merican government ; and his countrymen, with an un- 
divided voice, gave him a rank amongst the first He- 
roes and Benefactors of the Republic. 

It was jever the happiness of Comm. Decatur to 
know that his reputation was consi'AUtly progressing by 
. every successive act of his naval life, and that in no 
single instance had he the mortification to perceive that 
it was retrograding. To impute this to mere " good 
fortune," would be a miserable euk)gy upon his active 
worth, and positive merit. A continued series of fortu- 
nate events, not unfrequently give-* a temporary eclat, to 
the man of mere negative quahtifs. It is a fortuitous 
fame, however, which vanishes «\ ithj^e uncertain and 
capricious whims of fortune which gave it existence. 
Stephen Decatur left nothing to be decided by for- 
tune, and submitted not i.he least event to its decision. 
To be sure, like -iW oiher mcz}, he was liable to have 
his •nof?t j«;diri-»n? calculations, and active ex^^rtionscZe- 
feated, by mnfortunes ; but if they succeeded, to his 
skill, er.K-txy, and perseverance, was the credit due, 
and to him. wms it justly given. 

In a preceding chapter, the subject of having a va- 
riety of grades of office, as affording a reward for gal- 
lant deeds by promotion, was with extreme defer- 
ence, however, sugge*ited. It is not for the biographer 
to obtrude his own opinion upon his reader or the pub- 
lic. But since slightly mentioning the subject, the 
writer has carefully examined all the Reports of Naval 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 263 

Committees, and the official opinions of the different . 
Secretaries of the Navy, and may certainly allude to 
them without the charge of arrogance. 

The Report of the Naval Committee of November 
1814 states that, " The nation with whom we are now 
at war (Great Britain) is said to have about a thousand 
public ships, to command which she has not less than 
two hundred ADMIRALS, of ten different grades, as- 
cending from rear Admiral of the blue, to the Admi- 
ral of the fleet.' ^ 

This able committee recommended the appointment 
of officers above the grade of Post-Captain (now the 
highest) which would of course be Admirals. It has 
already been seen that even the Algerines had one Ad- 
miral at least, until Comm. Decatur encountered him 
in a single ship, and killed him in action. 

The Hon. William Jones, the vigilant and active 
Secretary of the Navy, during almost the whole of the 
second war with Britain, thus forcibly and elegantly 
expresses himself upon this subject :— " Captains of 
long and honourable standing, cannot but contrast the 
cheerless prospect of promotion in the naval service, 
with the rapid and high distinction which their military 
brethren, with equal, but not higher pretensions, have 
attained." 

Let the " contrast" be presented to the reader. — 
Two-fifths if not one half of the whole force of the Re- 
public in the second war, was in the Navy. 
In the Army were 8 Major-Generals, 

16 Brigadier Generals, 

The immense number of Colonels, 

Lieutenant Colonels^ Majors, Cap- 



264 LIFE OF 

fains, and Lieutenants, may be easily 
calculated upon the principles upon 
which the arnny was organized. 
The Navy had and still has but three grades of of- 
fice — Post Captains, Masters Commandants and Lieuten- 
(j,nts ; the title of Commodore, as previously remarked, 
arising solely from the circumstance, of being senior of- 
ficer in a squadron. It is presumed that some of our 
venerated and gallant Post-Captains have held that im- 
moveable rank (unless it be by removal from the JVavy) 
for more than twenty-Jive years. Although the subject 
is a " cheerless" one indeed, I hope to be pardoned 
for the levity of remarking, that the elder gallant offi- 
cers of the American Navy, whose locks have been 
blanched upon the ocean, and whose crowns have be- 
come bald in the service of their country, have not to 
impute the last, as an old British Post-Captain did, to 
the numerous Jwmor officers who had travelled over his 
head, to the dignit}' of Admirals — for our government 
have not yet seen fit to give to our noble Navy a single 
Admiral' 

The Hon B. W. Crowninshield, who came into the 
Navy Department upon the retirement of Mr. Jones, 
in h\% first communication, recommended the creation 
of the rank of Admiral. He thus cogently assigns the 
reason—'' It has been seen and lamented, that for want 
of this grade of command, the gallantry of a subordi- 
nate officer could be rewarded by promotion, while his 
gallant superior officer must remain stationary. "^^ 

In 1814, out of the immense navy of Britain, she had 
but ninety-nine 74s in commission, and she had two hun- 
dred and nine admirals — besides twenty-seven, upon 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 265 

half pay! In 1820, in the House of Lords, there are 
thirteen Peers of the Realm" raised to that high dignity 
for naxj^Z achievements Perhaps the asseveration of 
Shakespeare's ever-living facetious knight will apply 
to this case — '' It is ever the way of this, our Eugliskna- 
tion to make too much of a good thing ;'^ and if a bound- 
less national debt, and interminable ramifications of 
taxation, are "good things" the blessings of them have 
been somewhat increased in this way. ^ 

But, while pouring out the effusions of our grateful 
hearts in admiration of our peerless Naval Champions, 
let us not diminish our contidence in the unequalled 
government of our majestic Republic. In the course 
of these hasty sketches, the caution of our rulers, in 
augmenting the national debt, by suddenly advancing 
the national glory, has been adverted to, and will not 
be repeated.*- It redounds to their endless honour — 

it extorts encomiums from our bitterest enemies it 

imparts to our countrymen the richest blessings. To 
say they have been too stinted in their economy, in re- 
gard to the Navy ; and illiberal in their rewards to onr 
naval heroes, would require an arrogance which but 
few, even of our unt-titored, unthinking, and visionarv 
politicians possess. But as ours is a government o+' the 
people, the people may fearlessly, althougn respectful- 
ly express their sentiments of the govermnent. The 
voiceof the people must and will prevail. To resist 
it, if it were possible, is not just, and if it were just, is 
not possible. It is presumed then, that our Civil Fa- 
thers will in a proper time, and in a proper manner, 

* Vide Chap. V. 
23 



26 G LIFE OF 

bestow those rewards by rajik and emolument^ which 
our gallant Ocean Warriours so richly deserve. 

Mr, Secretary Hamilton, Jones and Crowninshield, 
'and theino-it distinguished Post-Captains, all concurred 
in the opiniojri of the indispensible necessity of crea- 
ting a Board of Navy- Commissioners. The great and 
diversified duties of the Navy Department had so ac- 
cumulated, that it became wholly impracticable for the 
most capable and laborious secretary to discharge the 
duties of it with honour to himself and advantage to the 
nation. — The Naval Committee of 1815, discovered 
alarming abuses in the Navy, from, to use their lan- 
guage— 

1st. The excessive and laborious duty of the Secre- 
tary. 
2nd. The want of sufficient checks upon, and the conse- 
quent irresponsibility of, subordinate agents. 
3rd. The great latitude allowed commanders in alter- 
ing, repairing, and finishing their ships. 
Congrfss, in the session of 1815, established the 
board of Navy Commissioners, and the President, by 
and with (he advice of the Senate, appointed Comm. 
J?o^€7's, CaptP. HulL and Porter to the high and impor- 
tant duties of the office. Never was there a more ju- 
dicious selection of officers. They were all veterans 
of the '* Mediterranean School." T\\q first was the 
vigilant watchman over American commerce and sea- 
men during thet2;ar in disguise with Britain, and dared 
return the fire of a Britiih ship of War. In open war 
the frigate President, drew after her an immense por- 
tion of the British fleet, and enabled a vast amount of 
American property to reach our shores in safety. The 



STEPHEN DECATUR. - 267 

second, brought down ihe first British flag of the iirst - 
British frigate that ever struck to an equal force. The 
third, when an impudent British commander of a force 
sonaething inferiour to him, bore down upon the Essex," 
almost sunk him in eight minutes. He^sent ihe, frst 
British flag to Washington. With the Es.^ex he swept 
British comrraerce from the immense Pacific ocean. — 
The Essex — but where could we stop in detaihng her 
achievements. She drained the coffers of' British 
merchants, and the ti-easury of England of wealth suffi- 
cient to build the whole of the then" American Navy. 

Upon the return of Comm. Decatur from the Medi- 
terranean, and the retirement of Capt. Hull, he suc- 
ceeded him as a Navy Commissioner. 

As it regards his capability of dis-charging the highly 
important and very responsible duties of this station, I 
need say nothing to those who have had the patience 
to peruse these imperfect sketches of his life. 

The duties of a JVavy Commissioner, (so far as the 
organizUion of the government, and the navy of Amer- 
ica and England have an analogy) corresponds with 
that of a Lord of Admiralty in the latter country. It is 
always the part of wisdom to accumulate wisdom even 
from the experience of enemies ; and althotigh our 
commanders, seamen, discipline, naval skill, &-c. have 
been proved to be decidedly superiour to their enemy's, 
yet it might be erroneous to say that they have not de- 
rived, in past times, some benefit, in this respect, from 
the first maritime power in the universe. 

The duties of the board of Navy Commissioners are 
as multifiirious as the vast variety of Naval concerns ; 
and although the President of the United States, and 



268 LIFE OF 

the Secretary of the Navy have a paramount authority, 
yet, through this^board, almost every important measure 
originates. From voluminous reports and documents 
thefoUovving brief outline is collected. The Board 
!. Determine the various classes of ships to be built, 
quality of materials, mod^^l;;, &.c. 

2. Ej;tab!ish regulations for the necessary expenditures, 
and the correct accounting for them. 

3. Regulations for ascertaining the actual state of de- 
cayed, damaged or defective vessels, and the dispo- 
sition of them. ^ 

•1. Regulations for the Naval Service, at Sea and upon 

the Lakes. 
5. Regulations for flotillas, and for every species of 

harbour defence. 
S. Regulations for Navy-yards, Arsenals, depot of 

stores, materials, &c. 

7. Regulations for cruising ships, ships in port, for the 
recruiting service, officers on duty on shore, and on 
furlough. 

8. A system for hospitals, and the medical department. 

9. Regulations fbr the conduct of Pursers, fixing their 
emolument — mode of accounting and securing seamen 
from undue advantages. 

10. Regilations far the examination of the officers of 
the Navy below Master-Commandant — classing them 
in the scale of merit — determining promotions, and 
the applications for warrant appointments. 

These important duties, with all their various rami- 
fications, surely must need the most comprehen.^ive 
views, and the most minute acquaintance with naval sci- 
ence. They also require the mosit unceasing vigilance 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



269 



and application. No wonder that abuses should have 
crept into the Navy, and that a succession of Secreta- 
ries should have urged an estiiblishment of such :i bo:»rd. 
These abuses have been corrected, and the pscuniar/ - 
affairs of the Navy are now as accurately adjusted a? the 
accounts pi' an educated merchant. 

Although confidence, to a cerliin degree, musj;be re-^" 
posed in every dgent of the Rep.jblic, yet that confi- , 
dence ouglit ever to be under tiie contioling hand of 
responstbility. The guardians ol our rights will never 
adopt the sentiment of an English minister, who de- 
manded from rariia^nent "necessary coniidence," and 
who was answered by one of the greatt'sc s.tatf^^maa 
who ever graced the councils ot Bntain. *• jXece^^sary 
confidence in the public agenis, is at be-t but a necessary 
evlL andougiit not to be reposed." Ourruier.^, iha ks 
to the stiibb.)rn and unyielding resistance aj,ainst cor- 
ruption, have not yet passed '-^ Acts of Indemnity""^' to 
shield encroachments upon the Constitution, and pecu- 
lations in the Treasury from punishment. 

Comrn. Decatur brought iiito tiiis board his whole 
experience — l»is whole vigilance, and iiis unspotted in- 
tegrity. In his brother comnnssioners, he lound men 
like himself, devoted to the best interest *jf t -<. N vy 
and the country A new era couimenced in our growing 
naval e.stablishment. Order was brought out of confu- 
sion, and system was substituted for derarigt^nient. 
They were to the Navy, what the uneqaaiied Hamilton 
once was to the 1 reasury, 

* Such acts have frequently been passed to shield a British 
flaiaister from disgrace and punishment, 

2.3 3^ 



'170 



LIFE OP 



It might be supposed that this was a relief from his 
arduous duties upon the ocean. Ask Comm. Rodgers 
and Capt. Porter if it wepe so ? Ask them if their per- 
petual duties, do not excite unremitting solicitude, and 
call forth every exertion of the mind and the body ? 
Even the details of cdaimon business, which require 
nothing but ordinary attention, without any exertion of 
judgment, is irksome and fatiguing — add to this the ne- 
cessity of improvement where errors have been dis- 
covered, and of invention, where some new regulation 
* is necessar y — add again, the exposure to censure, when 
Diistaken, and the cold and hesitating approbation when 
riojht, and the official duties of a Navy-Commissioner 
will assume an aspect far from captivating, but these 
diities must be performed. 

Naval Architecture, more than any one in the whole 
circle of the arts, requires original genius, taste and 
judgment. The ancient orders of architecture, in e- 
recting temples, palaces and mansions upon earth ; and 
tlie little improvement, and great injuries they have 
sustained by modern architects, are easily learned by 
the commonest ability, and reduced to practice by mere 
mechanical ingenuity. So plain is the road in this art, 
that he who reads may run in it ; and if by ignorance 
or wilfulness he strays from it, he gets involved in an 
inextricable labyrinth of blunders, from which he can 
only be relieved by rf tracing his wandering steps. But 
in the erection of Ships, thf^re can hardly be said to be 
an established principle, for where there is, there may 
be uniformity. Why is it often said that such and sucf' 
a ship is the best sailer in the American or British Navy ? 
Why did Coinm. Decatur say so of the Macedonian P 



STEPHEN DECATUR. • 271 

and why was his noble father in the Philadelphia, beat- 
en by Capt. Tryon in the Connecticut, in a sailing- 
match ? Why did the naval ^rcfiiiects of Britain take 
models from the wretched Chesapeake, wb.en broken 
up, when she was deemed altogether the. most ill-con- 
structed ship in the A/nericariiS-dxy ? it was owing even 
to her superiority over their own. If the President 
and the Essex, were not too much battered and riddled 
by the squadrotis of Comm. Hays and Hilly er, to have 
reached British ports perhaps the ship-carpenters of 
his majesty George fV. may derive a still greater bene- 
fit from scrutinizing the wrecks of them. They are 
the only models they will ever have in their ports, un- 
less they are gained by the same overwhelming superi- 
ority of force. 

Although our Navy cannot number the years con- 
tained in a quarter of a century, yet, in point of ele- 
gance, strength, power, and celerity, our ships most 
decidedly surpass any that have floated upon the ocean 
from the days of Carthage to this age. Witness the 
escapes of the Constitution, Argus, Hornet, Peacock, ^c. 
and the victories of every one of our ships in fair and 
equal combat ; and, to mention the most signal instance 
of rapidity in movement, witness the Gurriere, and 
Comm. Decatur's second squadron in 1815. 

Itis to the skill, genius, 'And inventive faculties of our 
Navy-Commissioners, Post-Captains, and Naval Archi- 
tects that we owe this American superiority, in the 
eonstruciion of our ships. But their armament also is 
of prime consideration. The reader may be gratified 
by a very brief sketch, made from voluminous docu- 



272 



LIFE OP 



ments of the comparative force of ships of different 
fate. 

'In the British Navy there are fjur denominations of 
ship? — I. Skips of the line, from the I,uvi^^;«:;, down to 
^.xty-Fours. 2, Fifty fours to Fifties, a distinct class 
bnt rated with tlie.line of baHh; sl^ips. 3 Forties, to 
Tzi)enties, unexccptioa'dbly rated as Fri^it^s. All the 
foregoing are common led by Potii-Cd^|{un^. 4. Eigh- 
teens, to Sixteens, are Sloops of War^^^-M\ a, e pierced 
and mount more guiia than they are registered ai. Be- 
sides ttiese there '^i^Scb'.'oners. Fire-ship-, Boinbards, 
Gun boats, Tenders, Cu iters <^c. &r.. 

In ihe American Navy ire, Seventy fours. Forty fours, 
Thirty-twos. Sixteens, Brigs, Sckoo7iers Gun- boms. S/'C. 

The comparative fo xe ot Seventy fours and For/^i/- 
^wrs, (although at fii-t it rn. ly excae surpriz) is as 
one to i:Arce. It is d^'.nonsU-ated thus : a 74. at one 
i'ound, discharges 3224 lbs. of -iiot ; a 44, di^charj^es 
1360 lbs. As the class of . •ship*! is ino^ea^ d, the force 
is increased, in proportion of owe to three. SevtnUy- 
fours are stronger in scar)t)/.'i'j^, tliicker'^n si'les and bot- 
tom, less penetrable to shot, and less liable to be bat- 
tered. A Seventy-Jour is a fair match for three 4 i's in 
action. To give the frigates the most favourable posi- 
tion, two at the quart-r and stern, and one abreasi of 
the 74. From the snperiour weight of metal in the 
destructive battery of the 74, the frigate abreast would 
be dismi sted or sunk with two broadsides. In the 
mean time, the quarter and stern of the 74 might not be 
essentially irtjiired ; and when a broadside could be 
brought to bear upon the other two frigates, they must 
share the fate of the tirst. Still, three frigates might 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 27S 

take a 74, and, what is quite as probable, a 74 might 
capture or sink three frigates. 

The relative efficiency oi' Frigates -dnd Sloops of War 
is at least as one to two ; and nearly the sam^ rea^joning 
will apply to them as to 74's and 44's. The Cyme was 
frigate built, and mounted 34 guns ; the Levant^ 21, and 
yet the gallant and accomplished Capt. Charles Stew- 
art, (from whose enumerations the preceding state- 
ment was collated,) captured them both in 40 minutes. 

Having very briefly alluded to the erection and arma- 
ment of ships, 1 will with ti(ill greater brevity allude to 
the expense of both, premising that the a?toni^ihing sav- 
ing of money has been effected by the indefatigable ex- 
ertions of the Secretary and Commissioners odtie Navy, 
Twenty years ago, the expense of building and equip- 
ping a 74 was estimated at ^342,700 ; only seven }'ears 
ago, at ^300,000. The expense of a 74, and of con- 
seq'ience, of every description ofship- is reduced near- 
ly one third. The annual expense of a 74, in commis- 
sion in 1812, was estimated at ^^02,110; its annual 
expense now, (1820) including repairs, is 18. ,529 64 ; 
a 44 gun Frigate, 5jl33.9b5 73 ; a 36 gun Frigate', 
g 1 10,557 19 ; a Sloop of War, g59,U69 42 ; a Brig, 
^39,774 67 ; a large Schooner, ^23,360, and small, 
g6,452 ; a Gun Boat, or Galley, g6 243 ; a Steam Fri- 
gate, g^o9,ti60 41 ; a Biock-Ship, ^39,774 67 ; a Re- 
ceiving Siiip, ^4.240. Ihe reaon of mentioning the 
minute sums is, t^iat.the writer pi. fe is " official docu- 
ments" to " vague conjectures." 

Comni. Dec.ilu; vva? indefatigable in discharging the 
duties of his iiiiportant, responsibh- and difficJi station. 
Those duties, us they were disch.ngod in tne cabinetj^ 



274 LIFE OF 

excited no' applause from the tnnltitade, who knew not 
their importance. He was no longer engaged in bring- 
ing down the Cross of St. George, in the Atlantic, or 
the' Turkish Crescent, in the Mediterranean. His 
pur^«uits attracted no attention from the world which 
•must always have a brilliant object before it to produce 
its admiration. Bit the acute penetration of a Crown- 
iNSHiELD m the Navy Departmetst, and of a Rodgers and 
a Porter in the Board of the Navy, full well knew and 
duly appr ciat 'd his surpassing excellence. As our 
Navy has justly become tlie favourite of the Republic, 
James Monroe; President of the United States, and, by 
the Constitution, Commander in Chief of the maritime, 
(as vvell as the military force,) was here enabled to dis- 
cover the profound science of Comm. Decatur in naval 
tactics. He had before, in common with our country- 
men, participated largely in the enthusiastic rapture pro- 
duced by^his uneqtiiiUed victories in the Mediterranean 
sea, and on the Atlantic ocean^ he here had an opportuni- 
ty to notice the theory of that almost mysterious system, 
which enabled him, no less than his dauntless bravery, 
to achieve them. Comparisons have always been justly 
pronounced odious, and will not be entered into. Ail 
the American naval officers^ of the first grade, are ac- 
complished commanders. They have undoubtedly ac- 
quired some of the theory of their profession from 
books ; but as books never teach the u.-e of books, they 
have reduced the hio-jcled^e they acquired from them 
in the closet, to act al practice upon tlte ocean. 

The confidence re[)osed in Comm. Decatur when he 
was appointed a Navy Commissioner, by the cautious, 
penetrating, and profound Statesmen, who placed him 



STEPHEN DECATU-R. 275 - 

there, evinced his entire fitness to fill the higlj and im- 
portant station. His survivors in that station will not 
doubt the judiciousness of the choice. Nor will a 
Murray, a Bainbridge, or a Campbell, his seniors, 
doubt it. There was one more senior to him, and he 
could not doubt it — it was Comm. James Barron. 

Comm. Decatur had other views than those who 
hold a sinecure office under the monarch of Britain, 
who derive an immense reward from their government 
without rendering any service to the nation. In order 
to discharge his duties to that country to which his gal- 
lant and patriotic father had devoted him, he was aware 
that he must first understand it. Knowing that a ship 
of war, if originally badly constructed, could never be 
amended, he sought for the best information that could 
be obtained from ancient and modern experience. He 
knew full well that Englishmen claimed all the " origin- 
al discoveries" that had been made in modern Naval 
Architecture. He knew that one Englishman claimed 
the invention of " diagonal braces,''^ and the construc- 
tian of ships by **ftimbers so closely adhering to each 
other, and caulked, as to be impervious to water." 
He knew also that they claimed the invention of " iron 
cables." He knew that they claimed the invention of 
'-* iron knees" forships. Without violently disputing the 
claims of our trans-atlantic enemies, he was solicitous 
that the American Navy should have all the benefit of 
these discoveries, let them have originated wherever 
they did. At the same time he knew where they did 
originate. He knew that the first claimed invention 
was not original with Englishmen. He knew that the 
invention of the Steam Frigate " with timbers impervi- 



276 LIFE OF 

ous to water," by that unparalleled mechanist, Fulton, 
the modf^i of which . he examined at New-London, 
when hlookyded there, by an immensely superior 
force, WHS made many months anterior to any preten- 
sions of an English architect. As to " iron cables," he 
knew that they had been used on the Delaware river, 
on the banks of which he spent his early life, long be- 
fore an English architect knew their use.* As to " iron 
knees," he knew that Comm. Truxton shewed an A- 
merican naval architect the " iron knees" of the frigate 
Insur genie ^ captur^^ by him in the little Constellation, 
in 1799. Air these improvements became /rtm^7^ar 
with Americans^ before Englishmen pretend to have 
discovered them. 

While England claims to be the mother of America, 
let her nob forget tha^ the child will not forever bear 
the unprovocated rod of his parent. Nor — " Lick the 
handjik?t rais'd to shed its blood" — and that sometimes 
he Surpasses his progenitors in science and achieve- 
ments. 

Comm. Decatur, although ever t^ady to meet the 

enemies of his country, in combat, never detracted 
from their skill or gallantry. He would as readily ac- 

* The writer, in investigating this subject, had an interview 
with one of the oldest and most experienced ship-builders in 
New-England. He commenced the business at fourteen, and 
excepting the period of the Revolutionary War, in which he 
was a gallant soldier under Gen. Putnam, followed it to this 
time (1820.) He distinctly remembers examining a " chain ca- 
ble" upon aa armed American ship in New-York, in 1783, when 
discharged from the army, and minutely described it. He did 
not fight in the second war, but he would now nerve his arm at 
the sight of Capt. Shortland, who assassinated his son in Dart- 
moor Prison in 1814 ! ! 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 277 

knowledge the real skill and prowess of an Englishman 
as a Turk, both of whom he had conquered, and both 
of whom he had treated with humanity and respect, 
when he had vanquished them. He was aware that 
his countrymen were* as inventive, in improving the 
construction of ships, as they were skilful in navigat- 
ing and fearless in fighting them ; and preferred the 
real superiority of his own, to the gasconading boasts of 
another nation. 

But while Comm. Decatur was thus engaged in ad- 
vancing the permanent force of the American Navy, 
temporary relaxations from the intensity of application 
to his official duties, enabled him to participate in the 
captivating enjoyments of accomplished society, beside 
that which the metropolis afforded. 

Three states lay in their claim to him as a citizen-^ 
Maryland, because he was born in it — •Pennsylvania^ 
because he adopted it, and Virginia because she fur- 
nished him, with the source of his most exquisite en- 
joyment, a lovely, dignified, and accomplished bosom 
companion. It is not necessary to decide which state 
has the best claim to citizenship ; suffice it to say, each 
of them strived to outvie each other in civility to him, 
whenever his short excursions led him into them. 
His entry into their larger towns, although in the most 
unostentatious style, called forth every possible- de- 
monstration of esteem, respect, and admiration. It 
was not the unmeaning and idolatrous veneration which 
a degraded and. humiliated people pay to monarchs and 
princes who have no claim upon their affection, and 
which proceeds more from fear than attachment — it 
was the voluntary effusion of the heart, proceeding 
9A 



278 LIFE OF 

from a knowledge of his inestimable worth, and an ac- 
knowledgment of the incalculable services he had ren- 
dered the Republic. 

The refined and patriotic citizens of^ Baltimore ^ ever 
prompt in serving their country ttiemselves, and equal- 
ly ready to manifest their respect for those who have, 
•|Vresented Comm. Decatur with a superb service of 
plate, upon each piece of which was this inscription — 
"The Citizens of Baltimore, to Comm. Decatur.*' 
" Rebus gestis insigni — ob virtutes dilecto."* 

Although the classical examiner would readily see 
from this inscription that the citizens of Baltimore con- 
veyed the truth admitted by all, that Comm. Decatur, 
was " Distinguished' for his heroism, and admired for his 
virtues,^'' yet some observers might not be so fortunate. 

The citizens oi Norfolk, (Vir.) than whom, no por- 
tion of Americans better knew the private and public 
worth of Comm. Decatur, besides the constant display 
of individual esteem, invited him to a splendid public 
dinner. It is upon such occasions, that the frank and 
unsophisticated sentiments of generous bosoms are elu- 
cidated. Surrounding the festive" board, and casting 
their eyes upon the Hero of the Mediterranean, they 
gave in unison, this sentiment— than which, nothing 
could be more forcibly conceived, or elegantly express- 
ed. 

Although it is readily admitted, that the most elegant moltos 
are to be found in this most elegant of languages, yet as English 
is the languoge of Amt^ricans, however different their principles, 
would it not be more judicious to convey oui ideas m our vcrnac- 
\\\diT iomrue ? 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 279 

'' The Crescent — Its lustre was dimmed, even by 
tlie twinkling of our Stars.'' 

Such a seotiment was worthy of the present genera- 
tion of Virginians, amongst whose fathers, m the Avar 
of the Revolution, were Washington, Jefferson, 
Madison, Monroe and Patrick Henry. It compelled 
Comm. Decatur to take a sudden retrospect of his 
eventful life in the Mediterranean — his capture of the 
Intrepid — his destruction of the Philadelphia frigate, 
and his unparalleled conflict with the Gun-boats. 

At Petersburgh, in that patriotic state, they were no 
less ardent in their attachment to the favourite, and fa- 
voured Decatur. After receiving every public de- 
monstration of respect that couldhe shown, he gave 
the following, modest, ingenuous, and grateful senti- 
ment. 

" The Citizens of Petersburgh — They render 
honours to those for services, which they themselves 
have exceeded." 

In Philadelphia, he was always received with rap- 
ture, for there i^iey " knew him best.''- His early com- 
panions presented him with a splendid service of plate, 
accompanied with a most finished and elegant letter. 
A short extract from his answer will be inserted. " I 
beg the committee, composed oi' names with which my 
earliest and most agreeable ideas are associated, to ac- 
cept m.y warmest thanks for the very flattering senti- 
ments you have expressed toward me." 

The events in the Navy Department, not immediate- 
ly connected with the life and character of Stephen 
ii-.cATUR, cannot be enlarged upon. From the time 
u;^ feuteied npois the arduous duties of a Navy-Com- 



280 LIFE OF 

missioner, his mind was completely engrossed by them , 
every other object was of secondary consideration. 
'Amidst these duties however, he participated in the 
captivatiog enjoyments of the metropolis, hie enjoyed 
the* society of the great men of our great Republic, 
there stationed to manage its vast concerns. He here 
appeared .in the capacity of a Statesman, and excited 
no less respect than when he appeared in the more 
dazzling character of r Hero, With the Secretary of 
the Navy, his brother Commissioners, and naval offi- 
cers, he was perfectly at home ; and surelj^, amongst 
all the objects of magnitude, that involves the profound 
reflections of our rulers, no one surpasses, nor indeed 
equals that of naval defence. With a sea board of three 
thousand miles, — indented with some of the largest 
bays, sounds and rivers in the world — their borders 
and mouths, containing much of the vast wealth accu- 
mulated from the interiour — assailable in numberless 
points by a naval enemy, it is reduced to absolute de- 
monstration, that our safety in future depends, much, 
very much upon naval power. However much we 
may be struck with the formidable power of land bat- 
teries, the experience of modern warfare evinces clear- 
ly, the vast superiority of batteries that are floating. 
With our majestic ships of the line, our frigates, sloops 
and Brigs, Americans can carry our arms where they 
lind our enemies, and make them flee from where they 
are found. If they dare intrude upon our harbours, 
they will meet with that novel, that tremendous, that 
almost resistless engine of death and destruction, the 
STEAM FRIGATE. To be sure our immense frontier is 
to be guarded by armies^ and fortifications ; but even 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 281 

there, a moving rampart of high-minded men, is found 
to be vastly more efficient than stationary fo.rts, re- 
doubts and breast-works. Present to the enemy our 
flying artillery, and a rampart, formed by a front, brist- 
led with bayonets, and led on by brandishing swords, an 
enemy will much sooner retire than they would from a 
fort which they might besiege with safety at a secure 
distance — which they might pos.?ibiy overcome by star- 
vation, or conquer by an overwhelming superiority of 
force. But the writer, in this volume, has nothing to 
do with the arm?/ of the Republic, it belongs, with ail 
its imperfections and errors to the Navy. It was only- 
intended to shew, that ■dmoveable force is every where 
preferable to a stationary one, any. where. 

The most difficult duty, and, in a personal point of 
view, the most liable to censure, that Comrn. Decatur 
had to perform, as Navy-Commissioner, was the selec- 
tion of officers for different commands. In every other 
of the vast variety of duties he had to discharge, in 
conjunction with the Secretary of the Navy, and his 
brc'ther Commissioners, they related to the Navy ge7i- 
erally ; and equally effected every one from the highest 
to the lowest grade of officers. But in restoring offi- 
cers to com>;iands, after they had been suspended from 
them by arrests, inquiries, and trials, and after the term 
of suspension, after inquiries and trials, had expired, 
exposed them to the personal animadversions of every 
nav-al officer who had been implicated. 

The President of the United States, during the pe- 
riod of Comm. Barron's most important command, thus 
expresses himself — " Of the various executive duties, no 
one excites more anxious concern^ than that of placing 
* 24 



202 



LIFE OF 



the interest of our fellow citizens in the hands of honest 
men. "^'ith wide rManding sufficient for their stations, JVo 
duty at the same time is more difficult to fulfil.'' 

Numerous in.-;tances upon this subject might be men- 
tiohed ; but perhaps no one so signal is that ol' the ar- 
rest of Comm. Macdonough by Comm, Stewart in the 
Blediterranean in 1819 can be alluded to. The parti- 
culars are not sufficiently known to the writer to give 
a minute detail : and were they so, the limits of this 
work would forbid them. Suffice it to say, he was 
arrested by Comm. Stewart — deprived of his command, 
to which his junior succeeded ; and he arrived at the 
seat of government to account for his conduct. Upon 
his arrival there, the President of the United States, 
the Setretary of the Navy, and the Navy Commission- 
ers, beheld one of the heroes of the Mediterranean 
and the hero of Champlain under arrest ! His unspot- 
t6d life — his unexampled modesty — his achievements in 
the wars against Turks and Englishmen, induced them 
all to hope that he was '' not guilty." 

No one could possibly enter into the feelings of the 
endeared Macdonough, like Stephen Decatur. He 
had been his favourite Midshipman in the Mediterrane- 
an—ho had followed wherever he led, and where but 
fe»v others would follow. He had seen him add one of 
the most splendid trophies to the naval prowess of 
America over England — he must have hoped that he 
had not even made a mistake in his duty. But what 
was the admiration of the noble Decatur, when he 
found his beloved friend, as noble as himself, ingenii 
Ously acknowledging that he had been mistaken ? Mac- 
30NoveB had often achieved victories over the enemies 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 283 

of hi3 country — he here achieved his- greatest — it was 
a victory over himself. Comm. Decatur, enjoyed the 
infinite satisfaction of seeino^ Comm. Macdonough im- 
mediately after placed in the highest command which 
one, commanding a single ship, in the American Navy, 
can be placed — that of the command of a Seventy- 
four. 

Comm. Barron, whose name stands the third in the 
Naval Register of the American Republic, had long 
been out of service. He had been suspended from the 
naval service in consequence of the well known " af- 
fair of the Chesapeake and Leopard frigates ;" the de- 
tails of which would be harrowing up, and opening 
afresh the most aggravated wound ever inflicted upon 
the honour of the American Navy. The writer hes- 
itates as he approaches the subject. From that disas- 
trous affair, more than from any other cause, arose the 
second war between our peaceful Republic and imperi- 
ous Britain; and, if any calamity greater than war to our 
country could have visited it, it essentially contributed 
to the tragical— the disastrous death of Stephen Dr- 
<-:atur. 



284 LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Coram. Barron solicits a command in the Navy — Comm. Deca- 
tur's opinion as to his re-admission into the Navy— The unfor- 
tunate misunderstanding between them— It eventuates in a 
challenge to single combat, from Barron to Decatur— Duel- 
ling — Result of the meeting— Immediate effects of it— Hon- 
ours to the remains of Comm. Decatur — Funeral ceremonies 
at his interment — His Character. 

The writer approaches to the conclusion of these 
sketches, with a solicitude, if possible, greater than 
that which he has experienced in the progress of them. 
His blood almost congeals as he writes^-his heart throbs 
at every sentence — and his feeble powers sensibly ex- 
perience their insufficiency to portray the calamitous 
catastrophe and its calamitous consequences. It is not 
for the writer to fathom the motives of Comm. James 
Barrc^, nor pronounce a sentence upon a deed which 
has spread mourning through our vast Republic. To 
his Country and to his Creator is he accountable. 
Stephen Decatur's fame would acquire no nev tint 
of lustre by an attempt to throw a shade ov^r the cha- 
racter of the surviving combatant. A Dearborn could 
not blast the fame of a Futnam, by attempting to erect 
the fabrick of his glory upon his ruins. Coram. Bar- 
ron is too generous to triumph over a fallen hero, or 
attempt to tarnish his fame. 

Let the reader peruse the following unvarnished 
tale, and as nothing will be recorded with a view of 
impairing the living reputation of Comm. Barron, so 



STEPHEN DECATUR, 285 

nothing will be omitted to defend the memory of Comm. 
Decatur — consecrated by death. Defend, did I say ? 
let me retract — his memory need:? not the defence of 
the living. Hi?! posthumous fame can neither be aug- 
mented by eulogy, nor diminished by aspersion. 

As a Navy Commissioner, Comm Decatur had an 
important official duty to perform ; and for the perform- 
ance of it, he was accountable to his* superiours, to his 
country, to his conscience, and hi«) Creator. Let bis 
decision have aff^^^cted whom it might, the r<^putation, 
the honour, and the glory of the American Navy, were 
ever first in his thoughts, fir.-t in his wo^^jj!, and first in 
his deeds. Having been devoted to the naval service 
of his country by his noble father, and by his own ar- 
dent heroism, he had ever manifested a readiness to 
spill his blood, and spend his life in advancing its glory. 
The Navy was his pole star ; and his views were as 
undeviatingly fixed upon it, as the needle points to the 
pole. He had arisen from the lowes* to the highest 
grade of command in actual service, and forever submit- 
ted to the orders of his superiouvs,and the'decisions of 
naval tribunals, without an animadversion. When call- 
ed upon to decide upon the conduct of others, he ap- 
proved or disapproved as iiis well-informed judgment 
diet (ted. Personal attachme-.ts, and also personal an- 
tipathies (if he had any) were merged and swallowed 
up in the paramonnt interest of the Navy. 

When placed in the importa>jt official station of Navy- 
C mmis«ioner, he had t'ae highl}' delic ii<?, and respon- 
sible duty of a j'ldge of merit and de.nerit to perform. 
It woijid require yorne being ''more than man'' to satis- 
fy all, and in some instances, decisiens mi^nt meet with 



286 LIFE OF 

reprehensions, from those who were ''less than man'' 
ought to be. His motto in this capacity was — "Be 
just, and fear not.'' When called upon by official duty 
to decide a question which might affect his senior in the 
Navy, he as fearlessly and as impartially pronounced his 
judgment, as in the case of the youngest Midshipman. 
Unspotted, himself as an officer, he made himself the 
standard of naval character. Alas! the model was too 
perfect for universal imitation, and he perhaps^ too un- 
yielding and too tenacious, in adhering to it. The 
honour of the American Navy was to hi:n as the virtue 
of a wife was to Caezar — " It must not only be chaste — 
it must be unsuspected.'^ If there ever was degenera- 
cy in the Navy, he was always too exalted to sink to it, 
and too elevated to be approached by it. 

Thus fixed, and thus undeviating, Comm. Barron so- 
licited the Navy DepartmenI for a re-instatement, in his 
command in the J^^avy. Comm. Decatur had served un- 
der hita in (be Mediterranean, in 1804, and succeed- 
ed him in„ th^ cosmmand of the Chesapeake frigate in 
1807! From the last mentioned period to 1819, Comm. 
Barren had not been in actual service, although he had 
ever been under that pay wr.ich was established for of- 
ficers in his situation. In that year, (1819) Comm. De- 
catur, as NaVy Commissioner, had to express his opin- 
ion in regard to the fitness of Comm. Barron to take a 
command in the Navy. He did express it in his official 
capacity, and in interviews with officers of the Navy. 

As to the *' affair with the Chesapeake," in i8C7, 
however deeply it might have wounded the honour of 
the Navy, he had nothing to do. Comm. Barron had 
suffered the disabilities which a court martial adjudged ; 



STEPflEN DECATUR. 287 

and those di«al>ilities had ceased — the time of his sus- 
peiipion from service had expired. But, Comm. De- 
catur, frankly, and unreservedly declared, that " he en- 
tertmned, and still did entertain the opinion that his con- 
duct as an officer, since that affair, had been such, as 
ought forever to bar his re admission into the service," at 
the same time UDeqnivocally declaring that he ^'dis- 
claimed all personal enmity toward him.'^ 

As id the sentence of the court-martial, although ap- 
proved by the President of the United Stat-s, Comm. 
Barron declared it to be "cruel and unmerited,'' and 
further rem.irks— " It is the privilege of a man deephj 
injured as I have been by that decision, and conscious of 
not deserving it, to remonstrate against it.'' Before 
what tribunal that remonstrance was to be made, is not 
conceiv^id. As to his conduct since the promulgation 
of that sentence, Comm. Barron endeavoured to excul- 
pate himselt from every imputation.* 

A long and animated correspondence commenced be- 
tween these officers in June 1819, and terojinated jn 
February, 1820. It is sincerely to be lamented that it 
ever met the public eye—it is deeply to be regretted 
that the jealous enemies of our rising Navy, ever pored 
over it with malignant satisfaction— for sati.'>faction it 
will ever be to them to discover disaffection between 
our accomplished and gallant Naval officers. While 
Americans lament the personal altercations betv/een 
^Perry and Heath, Decatur^n^ Barron, &c. our enemies 
rejoice at them. 

Without dwelling longer upon a subject pregnant 
with the most gloomy reflections, we must now*add, 
that the various explanations and recriminations, be- 
* Vide correspondence of Decatur and Barron. 



288 LIFE OF 

tween Commodores Decatur and Barron, ended in a 
direct call from the last to meet the first in the field of 
single combat, and which he accepted.* 

This is no place to enter into a dissertation nponthe 
subj^^':t of duelling, nor will it be attempted. It belongs 
to the Legislators of our Republic to enact laws upon 
the subject— it belongs to Judicial Tribunals to enforce 
them~it belongs to the Ministers of our Holy Religion 
to pronounce the canons of the Divine Law— it belongs 
to the Tq.achers of Morality to inculcate its doctrines 
upon this practice. Above all, it belongs to the most 
distinguished officers of our Navy and Army to evince 
their. sentiments u^on tbir feulvject by their examples.^ 
They have devoted themselves to the " Profession of 
" Arms." It is a profession in which a high sense of hon» 
bur forms the prominent feature. Not that superficial, 
puerile aid -xe?rabletense of honour which is founded 
upon the mere unmeaning punctilios of modern refine^ 
ment,%odern effeminacy, and modern degeneracy. 
That sense of lionour is meaned, which led our ances- 
tors to proclaim us free— to scorn submission to ty- 
rants—to face them upon ocean and upon earth, and 
to pour out their richest blood for their country. Their 
arms were turned against the enemies of the Republic, 
and not against each other ! 

* In 1799, the Earl of St. Vincent (Sir John Jcrvis) received a 
challenge from Sir John Orde, for giving a preterence to Sir 
Horatio ^"elson in the command of a squadron. It was of course 
accepted. But the friends of the parties interfered. The civil 
authority put their lordships under bonds for keeping the peace, 
and restrained two gallant officers from making war upon each 
other. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 289 

While the officer of genuine honour will avoid the 
infliction of a wound upon the reputation of bis superi- 
or, equal, or inferior, he will equally avoid that un- 
restrained resentment which calls upon him to violate 
the laws of Earth, of Heaven, and of Honour itself. It 
is impossible to ascertain the degree of moral guilt 
between him whose provocation rouses up the spirit 
of revenge, and him whose vengeance can be appeased 
only with blood. Alas ! within the last quarter of a 
century, our Republic has been called to mourn the 
destruction of many of her best citizens upon that 
Aceldema — " The field of Honour.''' A catalogue will 
not be attempted, for it would present an awful chasm 
in our greatness. 

The twenty-second day of March ^ 1820, ought to be 
kept as an anniversary of grief— a day cf lamentation. 
Upon that fatal, bloody day, the rich tribute of Deca 
tur's veins was poured out upon the plains of Bladens- 
burg by the hand of a brother officer. As he was ap 
proaching the fatal spot, and as no voice of human per 
suasion could deter him from his awful determination 
why could not some ministering angel of scaring mercy 
have thus addressed him. — " Erring and inconsiderate 
mortal, forbear ! Although it is not given you to pierce 
the impervious veil which still conceals unknown worlds 
from your view, yet pause and reflect ! Remember 
your country to which you have devoted yourself,— 
to which your service and life belong — and which has 
so abundantly rewarded your valour ! Remember^the 
enemies you have fought — the victories you have won 
— the dangers you have escaped — the glory you have 
acquired. Remember the declaration of your sainted 
25 " . - 



290 



LIFE OF 



father-—^" Our chtldren are the property of our 
COUNTRY." — Rememher>'our brother, whose fate you 
escaped, and whose death you avengfd — Remember 
your surviving relatives and associates, who now anx- 
iously await your f;,ite — Remember the tender and af- 
' fectionate companion of your bosom, whose throbbing 
and agitated heart, in breathless expectation and horrour, 
listens the report of the fearful shot. And, above all, 
remember that Preservini; Providence which has guard- 
ed you in the midst of death, in justifiable warfare, and 
tremble a*t the ttiought of enteringinto acontestin open 
violation of his decrees. Is fame your object ? you 
have already reached its temple. Is vengeance your 
design ? it must not be — that belongs to heaven. Re- 
turn, therefore, to your exalted station, and to the 
bosom of your anxious family.'' 

But no monilory voice from the heavens above, and 
no voice " crying aloud ffbm the ground,^'' dissuaded 
the ambitious Challenger from advancing to the field. 
The Challenged Decatur suffered his chivalrous con- 
ceptions of honour, to overcome the dictates of philoso- 
phy — t^e claims of his country — the entreaties of his 
real friends, and his own conscientious scruples, in re- 
gard to the propriety of the act, to meet his unrelent- 
ing opponent in the field of single combat ; and there, 
arm to arm, furnished with deadly weapons, to decide 
a controversy which nothing but the capricious deter- 
mination of fate could put to rest. 

The accompanying friends of the militant parties, af- 
ter the " dreadful notes of preparation'^ were sounded, 
silently waited the result. The incomparable military 
skill of the combatants, so often successfully exercised 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 29 1 

againgt the enemies of their country, was alas ! too fa- 
tally skillful upon this awful occasion. Ai the same mo- 
ment they both fired — at nearly the same place both in- 
flicted a wound — at the same moment they berth fell — 
one mortally, the other severely wpnnded. 

Comm. Decatur was accompanied to the place allot- 
ted for the shocking catastrophe, by Comm. Bainbridge 
as his s'jcond, and his surgeon. Comm. Barron was 
accompanied by Capt. Elliot, as his second, and his 
surgeon. No explanation took place upon 4he field. 
The result of the interview has been briefly, for it 
could not otherwise be detailed. Who can, even at this 
lapse of time, expatiate over the gushing wound of 
Decatur in retrospect ? Who must not have been petri- 
fied with horror that actually beheld the life's blood of 
this unsurpassed hero, crimsoning the ti&rf of his native 
country, and let forth, by the hand of a native coun- 
tryman, and that hand at the same time, paralyzed by a 
wound all but mortal. 

When the wounded combatants viewed each other at 
but hvf paces distant, with what agony must their fixed 
eyes have gazed ? Not from the agony of their wounds 
— for mere pain oihody, any man of fortitude will bear 
without a groan. But " a wounded spirit, who can 
bear ?" While yet the lamp of life was unextinguish- 
ed in either of them, the well nerved arms which just 
now pointed the deadly weapons, from which issued the 
unerring messengers of death,- were now tremblingly 
extended in token of reconciliation. Oh ! why could 
not these stern, unyielding devotees of the delusive 
phantom of false honour, one hour before, have said 
to each other, " Live, and I will live also V 



292 



LIFE OF. 



Comm. Decatur was removed to his mansion house 
in Washington, languishing in the agony of approaching 
dissolution. A sudden ^nd violent convulsion in nature 
could scarcely have produced a more agitating shock, 
indeed the \aws of nature had been violated, and one of 
its fairest worjis had been prostrated. Every object 
from those of the first magnitude, to thor^e of the most 
trifling concern, were immediately abandoned, and 

every thought was intensely fixed upon the living the 

dying Decatur. Almost regardless of the forms which 
tender sensibility enjoins, when approaching the house 
of death and mourning, every one involuntarily rushed 
fcQ the residence of the bleeding citizen, and" h-^ro, who 
but few hours before, gladdened their eyes by his pre- 
sence. 

The sublim«and exalted contemplations of the hero's 
soul, wer^ scarcely i'llerrupted by the agony of his bo- 
dy. While nature vvas struggling to retain its agonizing 
grasp upon this world, his celestial spirit was panting 
for the regions of immortality : *b'it his immortal soul 
was not summoned hence, until his lips pronounced his 
decided disapiIiobation of the manner in which he 
FELL. His denunciation against duelling, was like a 
voice uttered from the tomb. Decatur's last faltering 
exclamations were a denunciation againist the duellist. 

His death left a chasm in the Navy which it might be 
presumptuous to say cannot be filled ; hut which, it is 
confidently said, cSinnot be filled better. It produced a 
sensation in the metropolis, at the moment it was an- 
nounced, and through the country as the saddening in- 
telligence spread, which never had been experienced 
since the fall of Hamilton, who like him, died in the 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 293 

midst of his glory and usefulness, and who like him, 
acknowledged the guilt of the practice by which he 
fell. 

During the gloomy interim between the 22(hI and 
24th of March, every possible demonstration of respect 
was paid to the remains of Comm. Decatur, by the 
public authorities, and every condolence, which the 
deepest sympathy could afford, was extended to the in- 
consolable Mrs. Docatur. 

The ardent affection and glowing patriotism of the 
eloquent John Ranpolph, led him to introduce a mo- 
tion into the house of Representatives for the purpose 
of inducing a/orma/ display of sorrow upon the occa- 
sion. It called forth the most unqualified eulogies up- 
on the character of the deceased hero ; but lest a re- 
corded resolution, upon the subject o^his funeral or 
badges of mourning might be construed into an appro- 
bation of the mode in which he died, it was deemed 
far more judicious to leave it to thfe spontaneous, and 
voluntary effusions ©f s.orrowing hearts to manifest 
grief in a way the most appropriate to the melancholy 
occasion. 

Upon the 24th, ihe metropolis-was thronged by the 
largest concourse of the public authorities, civil, naval 
and military, foreign ministers, strangers of distinction, 
and citizens, that was ever witnessed there upon a sim- 
ilar occasion, since the corner stone of the Capitol was 
deposited, and the foundation of the city was laid. — 
The deepest sorrow was depicted upon every counte- 
nance — the great business of the Republic was suspen- 
ded in every department. At 4 o'clock, the late resi- 
lience of the deceased hero, was approached, and his 



:-ii4 LIFE Of 

sacred remains were received by those who were to 
b^ar tiiem to the torpb of Kalorama. The Procession 
was thus appropriately arranged. 

. Funeral firing party of Marines, with music. 
Ofiicers of the iNavy of the United States. 
Officers of Marine Corps. 
The Clergy. 
Pall Bearers. Pall Bearers. 

Ppmpi. Tingey, "| ^ rConnm. Rodgers, 

Comm. Macdonough, |. 0*| Comm. Porter, 
Gen. Jespup, } ^^ ^^^' Brown, 

Capt. Ballard, | g | Capt. Cassin, 

Lieut! M'Pherspn, L • LCapt. Chauncey. 

Relatives. 
President of the United States and Heads of Depart- 

• mepts. 

Menobers of the S^enate and House of Representatives. 

Judges, Marshal, and other Civil Officers of the United 

States. 

Officers of the Army of tl^ United States. 

The Mayors and other Civil Officers of the District. 

Foreign Ministers with their Suites, and Consuls of 

forei«;n powers. 

The Citizens. 

The military honours of the solemn occasion, were 
rendered by the truly excellent Marine Corps, under 
the orders of their accomplished commander. Major 
Miller. As thife. procession began its solemn move- 
merit, minute guns from the J\'avy Yard were commen- 
ced ; and were continued during the procession and 
funeral service. The same cannon which had so often 
announced the splendid achievements of Decatfr., now 



STEPHEN DECATUR. ^9i> 

marked the periods in bearing his remains from his late 
abode to the tomb. Their reverberating thunder 
mournfully echoed through the Metropolis, and the 
surrounding region, and announced the approach of a 
sleeping hero to the silent cemetery. When the vol- 
leys of musketry echoed forth f!!ie last token of respect 
to the sacred reliqa^^s, it was known that all that was .' 
mortal of Decatur was concealed from- human view, — 
that his body belonged to th^ earth — his exalted and 

immortal spirit to heavpn, and his character, his fame 

"J. ^ ' 

and his glory to his country. 

During these solemn and io^ressive ceremonies, 
Comm. Barron was languishing upon his couch with the 
wound received at the .Doment that was, which carried 
Comm. Decatur to the tomb ; the thunder of the minute 
guns, and the discharge of musketry must have vibra- 
ted through a heart tortured to agony. ■ His destiny vas 
yet uncertain — he was upon the verge of too worlds, 
uncertain to which the next hour might consign him. 
He remembered that tfie living Decatur said to him : — 

•' I HAVE NOT CHALLENGED, NOR DO I INTEND TO CHAL- 
LENGE YOU YOUR LIFE DEPENDS UPON YOURSELF, AND 

NOT UPON ME." Can there be a pang in death more 
excruciating than his reflections must have been ? He 
might have exclaimed with the bard : — 

" O ! Providence extend thy care to me ! 
For JSTatnre sinks, unequal to the cojpbat, 
And weak Philosophy denies her^succours." 

i . ' , 

But Comm. Barron still survives ; and survives it is 
confidently hoped, to be an ornament to the naval ser- 
vice, and a living witness against the horrid, the ap- 
palling custom, which hurried one of the most gallant 



296 LIFE OP 

and noble spirits into eternity, and which brought him. 
to the very verge of it. The conflict between the de- 
parted Decatur and the surviving Barron was no com- 
mon affair of honour. It did not originate in the per- 
sonal hostility of the parties — it was in the cause of the 
American Navy they fought each other ; and had the 
noble Decatur instantly died, the wounded Barron 
would have exclaimed in a faltering voire over his 
bloody and mangled corpse, as Monmouth did over 
Percy'' s : 

" Lie there, great heart — the earth that bears thee deadf 
Bears not alive, so high a gentleman." 

Decatur i^ dead — and if he must have died in the 
midst of his years and glory, would to heaven he had 
fallen upon his own deck, like Lawrence, Allen, and 
Burrows ! Then might we exclaim in the language of 
a bard whose genius was as exalted as ^,25 heroism :-— 



Sampson hath quit himself 



Like Sampson ;— and heroically hath finished 
A life heroic." 

The course of hisjfife points out a brilliant orb for the 
ocean- warriour to move in — the inanner of his death, a 
destructive vortex to shun. But living, he was admir- 
ed — dying, he was lamented, and his memory will be 
cherished'in fond remembrance, as long as ardent pat- 
riotism, fearless co'irage and exalted virtues, shall 
receive an approving sentence in the human heart. 

Hereafter, when the sculptured iharble, or the tower- 
ins: monument, as imperishable as Decatur's fame, 
shall point to the place where he rests from his toils 
and his dangers, the traveller will linger around it and 



STEPHEN TDECATl/R. 297 

exclaim — Do we admire the American youth who de- 
votes his early years to the acquisition of sohd scieiice, 
and poHte hterature ? Such was Decatur in youth. 
Are we charmed with the youthful hero, anxious to 
emtilate the gallant deeds of noble ancestors ? Such a 
youth was Decatur. Do we admire the 7nan who rises 
above effeminate enjoyment, and meets a host of ene- 
mies in foreign climes to rescue his Countrymen from 
bondage ? Such a man was Decatur. Are we en- 
raptured with the dauntless heroism pf a warriour who 
dared to meet a foe whose power is deemed irresisti- 
ble ? Such Decatur did. Do we admire the judge 
who dares to pronounce a sentence which rpay endan- 
ger himself? Such a judge was Decatur. Are we 
tortured into the agony of grief that an exalted spirit 
should fall a victim to the delusive ^jhantom of false 
honour ? Alas ! Decatur so fell. " What a fall was 
there, my coimtrymen .'" 

The whole character of the subject of these biograph- 
ical memoirs mny be summed up in fevv words. 

STEPHEN DECATUR was created and constituted 
for an ocean-warriour. His wilo^^ nature was pecu- 
liarly adapted to the perilous and brilliaiit sphere of ac- 
tion upon the watery element. That is the expanded 
theatre upon which he was designed to act the most 
important parts, and shme illustrious in the roost tre- 
mendous scenes. To his natural adaptation for a sea- 
man, he added all the auxiliary aids of scientific ac- 
quirement. He first made himself a general scholar-^- 
then a theoretical navigator — then a practical seaman. 
Before his nautical skill, the rolling and convulsed 
ocean lost half of its appaUing horrours ; and its hi- 



298 LIFE OF 

deotts tempests seemed to become subservient to his 
wishes. 

But this important**trait in his character, was almost 
forgotten in his more brilliant acquirement of naval 
tactics. He wa«: the accomplished naval tactician. 
The most minute branches of naval science never es- 
caped his attention, ancf the most important ones never 
esdeeded his comprehension. The various manceu- 
verings of a ship or a squadron, were as familiar with 
him, as the^^volutions of an army to the scientific mili- 
tary officer. Whether encountering the enemy in the 
humble galley, or breasting the shock of battle in the 
majestic shrp, he bore into action as if the Genius of 
Victory hovered over him, and gave him conq jest in 
anticipation. When in the midst of an engagement, he 
fearlessly and undauntedly soared in columns of tire and 
smoke, and with the *fury and velocity of lightning, 
charged upon the astonished foe. His own personal 
safety occupied not a single thought — his fearless soul 
was engrossed with the safety of his crew and his ship, 
and the destruction of the enemy. But the moment 
the thundering cannon ceased their terrific roaring, and 
the b'\ttle-fray was ended, he was changed into a min- 
istering spirit of mercy. Over his slain enemy, he 
dropped a tear — to a wounded one he imparted conso- 
lation — ^he mingled his sighs with the groans of the dy- 
ing, and rendered every honour to the gallant dead. 

Whether encountering an overwhelming host of fu- 
rious Turks, equally regardless of honourable combat, 
and thankless for favours after they wore conquered — 
or wresting victory from a more magnanimous and skill- 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



299 



ful foe, he was ever the same— Terrible and fearless 
in b:d 1 - -Mild and humane in victory. 

A-« H Xaval Officer he was as perfect a model, as the 
world afforded. To his superiours in rank he was res- 
pectful—to his equals generous and affectionate — to his 
inferiours mild, humane^ and condescending— he was 
the seaman's friend. As a disciplinarian, he never 
spared himself, nor would he' permit any under his 
command to be spared : but he had the peculiar felici- 
ty of rendering the severest duty the highest pleasure. 
He governed his men more by the respect and love he 
secured from them, than by the exertion of the power 
with which he was clothed. He infused into the bo- 
soms of his officers and seamen, the noble and patriot- 
ic ardour which inspired his own exalted heart. They 
wouW follow him wherever he led, and would lead 
wherever he ordered. They were as true to him as 
their souls were to their bodies ; and would suffer 
them to be separated before they would desert him in 
the hour of peril. When designated as a judge of the 
merits or demerits of his brethren in the naval service, 
his philanthropy led him to give full credit to their vir- 
tues in exalted or bumble stations, while his stern in- 
tegrity made him a dignified censor over their errors. 

But however high he stood in his profession as a na- 
val commander, it was in the mild and captivating scenes 
of peace, where he shone with unclouded lustre. His 
heart was the temple of benevolence — his mind was 
refined by literature and science— his deportment was 
that of the polished gentleman. 

In his person, he was a little above the middling 
height, and rather delicately though elegantly formed. 



300 LIFE OF 

His countenance was all expression. His eye discov- 
ered that inquietude which indicates an ardent mind ; 
and although it beamed with benignity, it evinced an 
impatience for action. While his manly and dignified 
virtues cDmmanded respect, the suavity of his manners 
invited to familiarity. His high sense of honour for- 
bade him to inflict a wound upon others; and, with 
the majesty of virtue, to repel with indignation, the 
most remote suspicion of his own honour. 

But his love of country was his crowning glory. His 
whole life was a commentary upon the noble sentiment 
of his noble ancestor. 
* Our ChilISren are the Property of our Country.' 

For his country he lived — f«r his country he fought 
—his couiltrymen will cherish and admire his memory, 
until the name of his country itself shall be extinguish- 
ed ia the final consumii|ation of all things. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 301 

[The splendid " Naval Victories" achieved by Americans over. 
Britons, in the second war between the / merican Republic 
and the British Empire, occasioned a e^re^t variety of " Nau- 
tical Songs," calculated for almost every variety of taste. 
None of the Naval Heroes called forth the efFusion.s of the 
Muse with mere rapture than Step'i en Decatur. The 
follow^ing production, except the 3rd verse, appeared soon 
after the capture of the Macedonian. The elegant author* 
wiH excuse one prosaic verse for being introduced amongst 
his highly poetical ones.] 

Tune — '"'' To Anacreon in Heaven.^'' 
{. To the Court of Old Neptnne, the god of the sea. 
The sons of Columbia sent a petition, ^ 

That he their protector nnd patron vvonltl be ; 
When this answer arriv'd free from terms or condition : 

" Repair to the sea ; 

" You conqVors shall be ; 
•' And proclaim to the world that Columbia is free : 
•' Beside, my proud trident DECATUR ^hall bear, 
"And the laurels of Victory triumphantly wear !" 

II. The Tritons arose from their watery bed, 
And sounding their trumpets, iEolui; attended ; 
Who Rumraon'd his Zephyrs, ariU to them he said, 
" Old Neptune C -lurabia's cause has befriended. 
" As the world you explore, 
" And revisit each shore, 
" To all nations proclaim the glad sound evermore ; 
'' That DECATUR old Neptune's proud trident shall 

bear, 
" And the laurels of Vict'ry triumphantly wear •" 

* J. R. Calvert, Esq. 
26 



JUkl LIFE OF 

III. In that sea where the Crescent long proudly had 
wav'd, 

The sons of Mahomet the Christians enslaved ; 
There DECATUR repair'd, and the Turk fiercely 

brav'd, 
And there from dire bondage the Christian he saved. 

The Crescent soon bow 'd, 

'Fore his thunder so loud, 
And his Hght'nijng, resistless, dispeli'd the iiark cloud 
Which Allcsh''s disciples and demons had spread, 
The terror of man— now no longer the dread. 

IV. The Naigids, in chariots of coral so bright, 
Skim'd swiftly the wide, liquid plane, quite enchanted i 
Soon the proud Macedonian glndden'd their sight. 
And DECATUR advancing, with courage undaunted; 

They sawivith a srnile, 

The fast-anchor'd Isle, 
Resigning the laurels obtain'd at the Nile ! 
And Wlien Victory crovvh'd brave Columbia's cause. 
The Truaipet of Fame shook the world with applause. 

V. Dame Amphitrite.flew to the Archives above, 
To see the isreat mandate of Neptune recorded, 
When tracing the records ofLybian Jove, 

To find where renown to brave deeds was awarded j 
There WASHINGTON S name, 
Recorded by Fame, 

Resplendent as light, to her view quickly came ! 

In raptures she cries, " Here DECATUR I'll place. 

On the page which the deeds of brave WASHINGTON 
grace!" 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 303 

[The lamented and deplored death of Coram. Decatur, called 
forth numerous eifusions of the pathetic and elegiac muse. 
The brilliant imagination and harmonious numbers of the fol- 
lowing irregular ode, induces the writer to insert it i;i the con- 
clusion of these memoirs. The reader will recollect that the 
eminence in the vicinity of the metropolis, called Kalorama, 
was the residence of the great Epic Poet of America, Joel 
Barlow — that he died in France when Ambassador — and 
that the body of Decatur was deposited in his family tomb.] ■ 

Methought I stood on Kalorama's height. 

Reclining, pensive, on Decatnr's^ tomb. 
When, lo I, a form, divinely bright, 

Celestial glories beaming in her face. 
Descends, while floods of light the dreary place illume ! 

And thus addressed me, with a heavenly, grace : — 
*' Say, youthful bard, whose humble name 
Has never graced the rolls of Fatne, 
What brought thee to this sacred place, 
And why the tear that trickles down thy face ? 
Say, hast thou sought these peaceful shades 
To woo the iov'd Aonian maids, 
Where, favored by the tuneful nine, 

His lyre great Barlow strung. 
And, with an energy divine, 

Immortal epics sung ? 
Alas ! he sleeps upon a foreign shore— 
The muses his sad fate deplore — 
Hi? lyre, that once so fc*.veetly breath'd 
But now with mournful cypress wreath'd 
For ever slumbers, and is heard no more : 



304 LIFE OP 

Yet, mortal ! know my name is Fame ^ 
And to the world hi? merits I proclaim ' 

Or still more pious, hast thou come 
To weep o'er brave Deca.tur's iotnh ? 
And dost fliou sjied the feeling tear 
O'er his re/j'^wes that slumber here ?" 
'Tis true, said I ; I here deplore 
The gallant hero, now no more ; 
Who, like a joufhful Hercules, 
Subdued his savage enemies ! 
And who, at a maturer age, 
Encounter'd Britain's hostile rage ; 
And dared with more than equal foes contend — 
While Victory and Fame his glorious course attend— 
And whose dread cannon shook Barbaria's shore, 
While Algiers trembl'd, at the thurid'ring roar. 
Alas ! he slumbers wifh the dead ; 
The light'ningof his eye is gonej 
And cypress wreaths entwine around that head, 
Where Glory her bright hallo shed ; 
And darkness hovers o'er that face 
^» Which beam'd with every social grace^— 
Where manly courage shone. 
Nor does the^muse alone 
Decatur's fate' bemoan ; 
But floods of sympathetic tears are shed : 
Columbia mourns her hero dead, 
With weeping eyes, and with dejected head ; 
And sable clouds of wo the nation overspread. 
Scarce had I cea^'d, when thus the power agaia :— 
" No more indulge thy pensive strain, 



STEPHEN DBCATUKi 305 

Thy grief i. useless, and thy sorrows vain — 
Rise, anduehold his triumphs o'er the main V 
When on a cragi^y rock 1 stood, 

-Which overhung the ocean-shore, ^ 
Beheld the tumult of the flo'od. 

And heard the surges roar. 
I saw two warlike ships engage, 
With hostile fury and destructive rage ; 
And heard the cannon's thundering roar 
Reverberate through rocks, and roll along the 

shore ; 
'Midst clouds of smoke the starry flag was seen, 
Waving in triumph, o'er the dreadful scene : 
While, shining through the battle's storm, 
I saw the brave DECATUR'S form ; 
His arm, like lightning, dealt the fatfll blow, 
And hurl'd Columbia's thunders on the foe ! 
The battle's din no more is heard— 
The scene of sorrow disappear'd. 
When, lo ! again my wondering eyes 
Saw Fame*s bright goddess glitteriijg in the skies^ 
I heard her golden trump resound 

With an immortal strain. 
While bursts of glory fl.ish'd around, 

And brighten'd all the main : 
•' Hear, mortal, hear ! the wonders thou has seen 

Give but a glimpse of his immortal fame ; 
I mi^ht display a more expanded scene. 

And with new glories grace Decatur's name ! 
But thou could«t not endure the dazzling sight — 
For how can mortal eyes sustain such heavenly 
light ?" . 

26* 



^i^K: ■ LIFE OF 



But hark i .1 hear a louder sonnil, 

Like peals of th»kider, burstipg on my ear ; 

While all the listening nations i^ound, 
Tji^ immortal praises of DECATUR hear ' 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



301 



Recapitulation. — Sqiiadrons, Ships, Sloops of War, 
Brigs, Schooner!*. and "Gun Boatg, in which Stephkn 
Decatur served or conquered ; the time when, the ca- 
pacity in which, and in what Wars. 



Y>rs. 



1798 



Names of 

Ships and 

Office. 



Frigate U 
States, Mid- 
shipman and 
Lieutenant 



1799 Br. Norfolk, 
list. Lieut. 



1800i^/-/^rt/e U. 
States, Lieu- 
tenant. 



\^0\ Frigate Es- 
sex, 1st. 
Lieutenant. 



1802 Frigate New 
York, 1st. 
Lieutenant. 



1803 Brig Argus. 
Lt. Com'dt.' 



1804 



SchoonerKn- 
terprise, Lt. 
Com'dt. 



Duty and Achievements. 



hi what wars. 
I Commanders^ 

&C. CCC. 



studying the Theory of Naval 



Tactics, 
Practice. 



and reducing it to 



With the 

Frejvch 

Republic- 



Practising and teaching J^aval Com-Truxton. 
Discipline. " Decatur. 



Disciplining Crew— Convoy- Capt. Little. 
ing Vlerchantmen—Chastising " Tryon. 
Frenchmen. | " Barry. 



Mediterraneaiv. I 

Disciplining Crew, in Naval 
Tactics and Nautical skill ; a-1 
rousing their courage. 



With 
Tripoli. 

'Comm.DALE. 



Disciplining crew, .teaching Com.MoRRis. 
Naval gunnerjr^ police of the, 
ship, fee. &c. Returned to Sterrett, 
America in the Chesapeake. 

Preble. 

Lt. Stewart. 

PreblEi 



Disciplining crevv,teachingtac 
tics, nautical skill, modes of 
attack, &c. <fec. 

Attacked and captured Tripoli- 
tan corsair, and two distin- 
guished commanders, named 
the captured vessel Ketch In- 
TREPiD, Dec. 23rd. 



Ketch Intre- Boarded, and captured Frigate! Lawre'iue 
pid, 70 men, I Philadelphia, of 54 guns, 750 
4 guns.Lieut. men. Killed 30, wounded 120,' Morris, jr 
Com'dt. |and Azwierf the ship, under Ba-; 

Shaw's battery and castle! Feb.; MacdoyiougA, 

16th. [nonekiHed.] 



308 



LIFE OF 



1804 



/Barnes of 

Ships and 

Office. 



Division 
Gun-Boat 
Senior Offi- 
cer. 



Duty and Achievements. 



of in No. IV. 1 gun, charged 9 
gun-boats of 3 guns and 40 men 
each. Captured an enemy's 
large boat, bearing out his 
priz'^— James Decatur treacher- 
usly slain. Returned to the 
combat, .with a Midshipman 
and 8me"B,C5|,ptured the Turk's 
boat who slew his brother^ and 
shot him dead. In. both prizies 
33 officers and men slain— Lost 
|not a man.ij Aug. 3. 



Frigate Con- 
stitution, 
Captain. 

Rank from 
Feb. 16th. 



j Crew disciplined by Preble, 
and needed no .more discipU- 
\ning. Blockading enemy, and 
ja waiting negociation on shore 



Frigate 

Congress. 

Captain, 



1805 Superinten 
dant of A- 

mnrican 
Gun-boats. 



1807 



1811 



1S\2 



Frigate 

Chesapeake 

and the 

Southern 

Squadron. 

COMTVI. 

Frigate 
U. sWes. 

Frig'^fe 
U Slates 
Captain. 



Blockading enemy, and a 
waiting negociationa attke Ba 
shaw's vpalace. Returned to 
America upon conclusion of 
Tripolitan war. 



Teaching • the peculiar disc 
pline for Gun-Boats ; modes of 
ttack, singly or in squadroi 



Cruising on the American 
coast ; watching foreign armed, 
ships, and enforcing acts of 
Congress. 



In what wars. 

Commanders, 

&c. 

With 
Tripoli. 

Preble. 

Somers, &c. 



J. Decatur. 

Henley. 



Trippe. 

J. Bainbridge. 

Com. Barron 



Peace, 

or 
'^'ar in 

Disguise." 



GREi 



Preparing for what might} 
ome ; visiting ports, &c. &Lc.\ 

\st Cruise. ; 

Sailed in a Squadron com-, Britain. 

•landed by Comm. Rodgers. j Hull. 

'2nd Cruise. ( Jones. 

Captured H. B. M. Frigatej Rodger?- 
Macedonian, 49 guns, Oct 125. 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



309 



rrs 


JVames of 

Ships and 

Office. 


Duty and Achievements. 


Jn what wars, 

Commanders, 

&c. 


1813 
1814 


SaFADROK 

Frigates 

U. States, 

Macedonian, 

Sloop of War 

Hornet. 


3rd Cruise. 
Driven into New Londo: 
Harbour, by a superior British 
Squadron, and blockaded ; at 
t?nipts an escape ; Chailengts 
enemy ; examines Steam-boat ; 
impressed seamen,, fee. 6:c. &c. 


Bainbridge. 

Lawrence. 

Stewart. 

Porter. 

Perry. 

Macdonough. 

Cliauncey. 

Burrows. 

Allen. 

Biddle. 

&c. &c. 


1815 


SaUADROJS-. 

Frigate 

President. 

Si's, of War, 

Hornet, 

Peacock. 


4th Cruise: 
Beat the Frigate Endi/mion, 
and surrendered to the whole 
British Squadron ; Jan. 15, re- 
turned on parole. 


1815 


SauADRON. 

Frigates 
Gurrierv-, 
Macedonian, 
Constella- 
tion. 

51's. of War 
Ontario, 
Epervier. 

Schooners 

Flambeau, 

Spark, 

Spitfire, 

Torcb. 


!VJEDITERRA]VEAN\ 

Captured Algerine Frigate Jlfa- 
souda; killed Ha'mmida, and 
29 mek June 17 
Captured Alg. Br. 22 g. 19 
Arrived at .i/o-ier*' 28 
Made a Treaty %. 30 
Ar. at Tdnis, demand. ^46,000 
as indemnification July 31 
Arrived at Tripoli, demanded 
-r< 3,000 - Aug. 9 
-irrived at Messina, repair- 
ed, left captives" 20 
Arri ved at Nipples Sept, 2 
Communicat. with the king 8 
Arrived at Gibraltar, and 
joined Corhm. Bainbridge 18 
Arrived in America iVov. 12 


Barbart 
Powers. 

Bainbridge. 


1815 


Va^■y-Com- 
missioner. 


Arranging affairs of INavy with 
"vavy Department, designating 
)ificers, &c. &c. 

Oied March 22, in defending 
he honour of the American 
Navy. 




1820 


Single 
Combat. 





310 



LIFE OP 



The followina;is a List of the Navy-Commissinners. 
The acconaplished CocnrTi. Charles Stkwart, it will 
be perceived, fills the place of the ever-to-be lamented 
Comm,' Stephen Decatur: 

JoHiV-R6*DGERS, 

Charges Stewart, 

DaVIO PoR'fER. 

The following is a Li^^t of the Post Captain? in the 
American Navy — a constellation „of ocean- warriours, 
naval tacticians, and accomplishjed gentlemen, une- 
qualled in the Universfe. > 



Alexander M irray, 
John Rolgers, 
Janes B:^rron, 
William Bai ihridge, 
Tuomas Tingey, 
Charles Stewart, ' 
Isaac Hp.1I, 
Isaac Chnuncey, 
John Shaw, 
John H Deni, 
D <vid Porter, 
John Cassin, 
Samuel Evans, 
J.irob Jonps, 
Charles Morris, 
Arthur Sinclair, 



Thomas McDonongb, 
Le'vis Warrington, 
Jo-eph Bainbndge, 
William M. Crane, 
'^ James T. Leonard, 
James Biddh;, 
Charles G. Ridgley, 
Robert T. Spence, 
Daaiel T. Patterson, 
Samuel Angus, 
Melanchton T. W^olsey, 
Jt>hn Orde Creigbton, 
Edward Trenchard, 
John Downes, 
John D Henley, 
Jesse D. ElHott. 



Names and force of the Vessels of the United States. 

Ships of the. Line. 

JVames Guns 

Independence 74 

Washington 74 

Franklin 74 

Colurabas 74 

Chippewa 74 



JVames 


Guns 


Now-Orleans 


74 


NortJi-Carolina 


74 


Ohio 


74 


Delaware 


74 


One building at Boston 74 


One at Portsmouth 


74 



STEPHEN DECATUR. 



311 



Frigates. 

Constitution 

United States 

Gurriere 

Java 

Superior 

One building at Wash- 
ington 

Constellation 

Congress 

Macedonian 

Confiance 

Mohawk 

C}'ane 

John Adasis, corvette 

General Pike, do. 

Saratoga 

Steam Frigate Fulton, 
at New- York ■i' 
Sloops of Wary ^c. 

Lawrence 

Erie 

Peacock 

Ontario 

Hornet 

Detroit 

Jeffersoft 



44 
44 
44 
44 
44 

44 
3B 

36 
36 
32 
32 
28 
24 
24 
22 



20 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 



Jones 
Madison 
Louisiana 
Niagara 
Linnet 
Sylph 

Ticonderoga 
Oneida 

Qaei2D Charlotte 
. Ranger 
E itorprise 
Spark 
Eagle 
Nonsuch 
Surprise 
Lynx 
Hornet 
Fox 

Despatch 
Ghent 

Lady of the Lake 
Porcupine 
Alert 

Corporation 
Bombs — ^-^tna, V^es 
and Vengeance, 



,18 

18 

18 

18 

16 

16 

14 

14 

14^ 

14 

12 

12 

12 

6 

6 

6 

5 

4 

2 

1 

1 

1 

none 

uvius. 



POSTSCRIPT. 



From that inadverten ce which often occurs to the 
writer of an original work, composed of a great diversi- 
ty of facts and incidents, it was stated in the sixth 
chapter of this volume, that Lieut. Decatur returned 
to America in the frigate New- York, as 1st Lieutenant. 
The fa(?t was not so. 

While the American squadron rendezvoused at the 
island of Malta, an altercation arose between the officers 
of his Britannic Majesty, a:id of the American squad- 
ron. Amongst other co^isequences flowing from it, 



312 LIFE OP STEPHEN DECATITR. ' 

it occasioned the death of a^British officer. The gov- 
ernment of the island interposed its authority ; and it 
was found expedient for all the Americans concerned 
in th€ affair, to return. to America. ; First Lieut. De- 
catur", of the frifijale New-York, th:erefore, returned as 
a passenger in the frigate Chesapeake. 

Conchisive evidence is furnished of the propriety of 
Comm Decatur's concern in that " Affair" by the fict 
that he was shortly aftervvards placed in the command 
of the Argus, the Jlrst armed ship in which he was 
ftrst in command. In.that ship, hegsod*^ after returned 
to the Medilerranean^ — took command of the Enter- 
prize, and went on " conxjuering and lo conquer" un- 
til the Genius of Victory cliimed him as her favorite 
son. 

'^■■*- ..■ ,., 

The unhappy controversy between Comm. Perry 

and Capt. Heath, is k«^vn to every reader, .'.nd by 
every reader who considers ^~tb>^g^aVv^ as the grand 
pillar of the American Re^blic, m'osfsrhcerely lamen- 
ted. The rea«»oti for alluding to it in this place is, 
because it was omitted in tbe proper place in tho pre- 
ceding volume. "Com n. Decatur, in, this controver^jy, 
evinced the exalted seatiments o-f his noble heart. 
Perry and Heath could nat be reconciled without an 
" appeal to arms." A " meeting" was agreed upon, 
on the " fi»^ld of Honour." Comm. Decatu#was se- 
lected by Perr.y as bis second ^ a t|rn'^ sometimes de- 
nominated, friend. Comm. Di^catur felt ^eas if Perry 
was the original aggressor, howeVer 'much lie might 
have disapproved of the unrelenting and vindictive 
spirit of Pie:ith. By his persua-^ion, Perry (Concluded 
to receive the fire of his antagonist, and reserve hi.- own. 
Heath's fire did not take eflfert. The noblf , the anx- 
ious Decrttur then approached the combatant, and non- 
cotiibatarit ; artd, in the sublime character of a " Peace 
Maker," effected a rcconciliaiion. L\U\c do th»se who 
t'c)uritin<riy i^xclaim — ^ Decatur died as the fool dieth,^* 
k?!Ow the native, and pvactical goodnes-s of his heart. 
To he sure he closed his .iwaluab'e life in sinile rom- 
bat — a combat which he d'lvj not sfpk, but which his 
exalted sense of honour forbade him to avoid. 



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